Why Aston Villa should pursue a move for Clement Grenier
Reports from journalist Manu Lonjon (h/t Birmingham Mail) suggest that Aston Villa are in talks with Rennes over a transfer for midfielder Clement Grenier. Lonjon also says that Porto, Galatasaray and Valladolid are also interested in the Frenchman.
Profile
Clement Grenier is a 29-year-old French midfielder who currently plays for Rennes. The playmaker started his youth career AFC Annonay and moved to Lyon’s academy in 2002. He spent 7 years before playing for the first team.
In nine seasons for the club, he made over 150 appearances while scoring 18 goals and 28 assists. A loan move to Roma followed in 2016, but he failed to get much game time there. On his return, he made the switch to EA Guingamp.
A year later, he finally settled in at Stade Rennes and has made 65 appearances for them in the last two seasons. Despite being a regular feature of the French youth teams, he has just the five caps to his name for the senior French side.
Do Aston Villa need him?
Aston Villa are a little stacked in midfield if we take a brief look at their squad. Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, and Connor Hourihane are the regular starters for Dean Smith’s midfield with Henri Lansbury and Marvelous Nakamba as squad options.
However, when McGinn was out injured for a part of the last season, Villa looked utterly toothless in midfield. In addition, Lansbury hardly featured last season and will be allowed to leave should a suitable offer come along. (h/t Express and Star)
Thus, adding another quality option in midfield would serve the Villans well. And this can be addressed with the signing of a player like Clement Grenier.
What makes Grenier an attractive option is the fact that he can play in a multitude of positions. He can drop in as a deep-lying playmaker or chip in with goals and assists from a number 10 position. His versatility would boost the squad dynamics at the Villa Park.
Read more
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Verdict
On paper, Clement Grenier looks like a player Villa should pursue. He is creative and can provide more of a threat from the midfield. That would ease the burden on captain Jack Grealish who single-handedly ensured Villa’s survival in the Premier League with his contributions.
With the additions of Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash, Villa should look to sign him as soon as possible since there is concrete interest from other clubs in Spain, Portugal, and Turkey. (h/t Sky Sports)
