The Express dropped a Sunday exclusive stating that Brentford winger Saïd Benrahma is on his way to Villa Park, while striker Neal Maupay will join Brighton & Hove Albion.
Aston Villa may get (another) long-rumored Brentford player after all.
Whereas 25-goal forward Neal Maupay is set to join Brighton, his teammate, and fellow forward Saïd Benrahma looks like the newest Aston Villa player. The Express had few details, but published that the deal will go through.
Benrahma, almost 24, led the EFL Championship in assists last season with 14 while adding an additional 10 tallies of his own (from 29 starts). He is a right-footed, right-winger, but is capable on either flank, possessing the ability to drift inside to more central areas.
Exclusive with @ScottBurns75: Neal Maupay is having a medical at Brighton, Said Benrahma is heading to Aston Villa and Brentford are looking to do a deal to sign Sandro Kulenovic, who has been dubbed the new Mandzukic - to replace them https://t.co/PBxzfdHLOC #Bees
— Bruce Archer (@Bruce_Archer89) August 4, 2019
If true, Benrahma is a super, super exciting signing for the claret and blues. The player has produced everywhere he has been: from Ligue 1 as a teenager, to scoring double-digit figures in Ligue 2, before lighting the Championship aflame last season – his first in England. Additionally, Benrahma helps fill a small void, specifically on the right-wing where Jota currently occupies. With André Green’s departure to Preston North End, Villa get two wingers primarily on the left (El-Ghazi and Trézéguet) and two on the right (Benrahma and Jota – Jota also filling in as deputy attacking midfielder).
It’s an embarrassment of riches for Dean Smith to choose from and build upon.
Striker might be a bigger need, but there is an argument to be made that Benrahma is the better Premier League prospect. We’ll see if either deal ends up going through, but the fact that the story was double verified lends to more credence. Benrahma’ services would cost in the £15-25 million range.