Said Benrahma during his time at OGC Nice. (Getty Images)
According to The Sun, Aston Villa have been credited with an interest in Brentford winger Said Benrahma, with reports claiming that the Lions have triggered a bidding spree for the Algerian international with an £8.9 million offer on the table.
The Sun understands that manager Dean Smith is keen to add more depth and quality to his squad this summer, as Villa set sights on preserving their Premier League status in their first season back to the top-flight.
Aston Villa have already set the ball rolling in the summer window with the
£4 million signing of Jota from Birmingham City and they have now set their sights on Benrahma, who was one of the most productive wide players in the Championship this past season.
Benrahma, who made his move to Brentford from French Ligue 1 side Nice last summer for a fee of around £2.5 million, enjoyed a stellar first season in English football and earned rave reviews for his impressive performances.
The 23-year-old Algerian accumulated a staggering 11 goals and 17 assists in 45 appearances for the Bees across all competitions this past season, with his red-hot form attracting interest from Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea a few months back (h/t Sun).
Benrahma has previously expressed his desire of playing in the Premier League and a move to the top-flight looks likely to materialize for the left-winger this summer, with newly-promoted outfit Aston Villa ready to swoop for him.
The 2-cap Algerian proved that he is head and shoulders above the Championship level in his very first season in England and few would argue against him making the step up to the Premier League next season.
A compatriot of Riyad Mahrez, Benrahma shares a lot of similarities with the current Man City star, both in their style of play and how they rose from strugglers in France to prominent figures in England.
Benrahma found life difficult at his boyhood club Nice and spent time on loan at Ajaccio and Chateauroux in Ligue 2 before moving across the continent to join Championship outfit Brentford.
Predominantly a right-footed attacker, Benrahma is a versatile modern-day attacking midfielder who can play in multiple positions across the midfield and the forward line, although he is at his best when deployed in an inverted role down the left.
A sharp, agile, fleet-footed and technically-gifted winger, the 23-year-old is noted for his good turn of pace, exceptional close control, flair and trickery on the ball, whilst also possessing an incredible eye for a final pass in the attacking third.
Benrahma not only excels with his ability to cut inside from the flanks but he is also adept at creating chances with his clever link-up play, accurate crossing and vision.
As evident from his numbers this past season, the Algerian is capable of contributing with both goals and assists, meaning that his presence in the final third could help Villa improve massively.
The tricky jet-heeled winger bagged as many as nine man-of-the-match distinctions in the Championship for Brentford the last term, carving out a reputation for himself as a versatile and dynamic wide playmaker.
Benrahma also proved his worth from direct set-pieces on numerous occasions and his repertoire of skills could add that X-factor and unpredictability to Villa’s attack.
Villa confirmed the release of veteran winger Albert Adomah upon their promotion to the Premier League and, as things stand, the Lions are currently short of options in the wide areas, with loanee Anwar El Ghazi’s future yet to be decided.
Youngster Andre Green showed glimpses of promise in the second-tier but he is still very much in the early days of his career and Villa certainly cannot rely on him to deliver the goods in the Premier League.
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Villa have already made a strong statement with the acquisition of Jota but one can get the feeling that someone like Benrahma would be a better player in the Premier League.
Having said that, the paymasters at Villa Park should not hesitate to splash the cash on the talented and versatile Algerian this summer in a bid to build a potent and formidable unit.