Aston Villa interested in signing Champions League centre-back
According to Graeme Bailey, Aston Villa are interested in the potential signing of Oumar Solet. The French defender is currently a free agent after leaving RB Salzburg following the end of his contract and it is believed the player wants a move to the Premier League. Aston Villa will face tough competition for the centre-half should they wish to pursue their interest as West Ham and Nottingham Forest are also reportedly interested in the player.
Oumar Solet's profile
Age | 24 |
Position | Centre-back |
Height | 6ft 3" |
Champions League appearances | 12 |
Stronger foot | Right |
The young French talent played a significant part in RB Salzburg's run last season, which saw them lose just two games in 12 heading towards the end of the campaign. Despite a few injury issues, Solet played the vast majority of the Austrian outfit's season and was the team's heartbeat at centre-half. As a result of his impressive performances and being in the final year of his contract, there was no desire to sign a new one; therefore, his contract was terminated in the search for a move elsewhere.
What would he bring to Aston Villa?
Solet is the definition of a ball-winning defender as he is someone who loves to tackle and throw his body in the way of any shot that comes his way. He would be an ideal candidate to play in an Unai Emery side as he is confident with the ball at his feet and has no issue with playing out from the back.
His 6ft 3-inch frame is also very much used to his advantage. Solet likes to use his power to dispossess opposition forwards and it also means that he is great in the air. Aerial prowess is certainly something Villa lack in the centre-back department and the number of goals conceded from crosses and set-pieces last season needs to improve this year.
Solet would certainly bring a bit more bite to the team, which has been absent since Tyrone Ming's ACL injury troubles, to Villa's defensive department. At just 24, Solet has his best years ahead of him and now is the right time for him to play in the Premier League. Furthermore, as he is currently a free agent Villa would have a good chance of signing him due to the lack of financial complications involved.
2023/24 stats | Oumar Solet | Ezri Konsa | Pau Torres |
|---|---|---|---|
Aerial duel success | 70% | 60.3% | 52.7% |
Tackle completion | 66.7% | 83.3% | 45.5% |
Pass completion | 85.7% | 91.9% | 87.4% |
Interceptions | 40 | 33 | 17 |
The table above represents Solet's performance and statistics across different defensive areas compared to Villa's centre-back's last season.
After missing out on the signing of Lutsharel Geertruida in the summer, who joined RB Leipzig after several weeks of negotiation with Aston Villa, Solet is a player of a similar mould and would fit in well at the club.
UTV
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