Aston Villa: Five transfer targets under threat of relegation

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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 08: Ryan Bertrand of Southampton in action during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on April 8, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

4. LB/LM – Ryan Bertrand, 28, Southampton

A familiar face, no? Ryan Bertrand spent half a season with Aston Villa in 2014 as part of a loan deal with then-parent club Chelsea. He’s since become an England regular call-up with a decent shot at making the England World Cup squad this summer. Southampton are the least-likeliest of the three current drop zone members to be relegated, but they still have a hill to climb until safety. A number of names: Romeu, Hojbjerg, Lemina will attract worldwide interest.

For Villa, the club simply cannot go into the Premier League without an upgrade at left back. Bertrand is exactly that: a two-way threat for a mid-table side. The Southampton left back will spend the 2018/2019 season at age 29.

5. AM – Sofiane Boufal, 24, Southampton

Call this one the “Ramadan Sobhi Plan A.” Boufal is on the short side, but he’s an electric attacker capable of playing anywhere behind a target forward. He has an eye for the dribble, and is certainly comfortable appearing from the bench.

Next: Aston Villa Secure Place In EFL Play-Offs

The best part? There might be some untapped potential still left. The Morocco international scored 11 Ligue 1 goals with Lille in the 2015/2016 season. In his age-25 season, Boufal should be at the apex of his career as an agile forward. Expect a large, interested crowd of clubs from around the world to inquire on his services.

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