Milot Rashica has been in good form for Werder Bremen
According to Supersport Kosovo reporter Arlind Sadiku (h/t Birmingham Mail), Aston Villa are frontrunners to sign Werder Bremen winger Milot Rashica. The Kosovan international enjoyed rare individual success this season unlike his side Bremen, who finished third-bottom in the Bundesliga.
The 24-year-old, who is comfortable operating on both wings and also as a playmaker, impressed with 11 goals and eight assists across all competitions for the German top-division side. Rashica’s attacking exploits saw attracting interest from fellow Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. They identified him as a suitable replacement for their recently departed forward Timo Werner.
However, both sides failed to reach an agreement, with Villa now leading the race for the in-form winger’s signature. Meanwhile, Villa will have to splash around the £22million for Rashica, who has a £34.3million release clause in his current contract.
Villa are in clear need of reinforcements in the attack following their dismal show in the Premier League this past season. The Villans, who earned top-flight promotion last summer, barely scraped through after they avoided relegation by finishing 17th in the league table.
One of the main reasons for Villa’s poor performance this term has been their attack that has lacked sharpness and consistency. They managed a mere 21 goals from 38 league matches, with the majority of them coming from the boots of their skipper Jack Grealish.
Apart from Grealish, who scored eight goals for them in the league this term, none of their other attackers has managed to impress. Meanwhile, Villa’s star player Grealish has been a subject of transfer interest from rivals Manchester United in recent times following his excellent show this season.
Leaving Grealish aside, Aston Villa just have two established wingers – Trezeguet and Anwar El Ghazi in their ranks. However, the two wingers only have a combined 10 league goals to their names, meaning Villa are in clear need of new faces across the flanks next season.
They also have Jota in their side but the 29-year-old has made just 10 Premier League appearances this season, suggesting that he is not a favourite under Villa boss Dean Smith.
With a lack of consistent goal-scorers on the wings, Villa’s decision to look for an in-form player like Rashica makes complete sense. Hence, they should up their interest in the Kosovan and bring him to Villa Park.
Villa’s poor form in the attack this season suggests that they need a proven goal-scorer upfront. The versatile winger has been in excellent form despite Bremen’s struggles this season, meaning his addition will only bolster the Villa squad.
