Aston Villa would be better off avoiding this 21-goal in-form ace in the summer – here’s why

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Rohan Sengupta

Why Aston Villa should avoid signing Alexander Sorloth in the summer

According to Turkish Football (h/t The Birmingham Mail), Aston Villa are monitoring Crystal Palace’s Alexander Sorloth, who is currently on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor.

Alexander Sorloth, 24, joined Trabzonspor on a two-year loan in August last year, with the Turkish side having a €6million buyout clause at the end of the 2020-21 campaign. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, would be unable to recall him at the end of the season.

Gent's Alexander Sorloth pictured in action during a soccer match between Royal Antwerp FC and KAA Gent, Thursday 16 May 2019 in Antwerp, on day 9 (out of 10) of the Play-off 1 of the 'Jupiler Pro League' Belgian soccer championship. (Getty Images)
Gent’s Alexander Sorloth pictured in action during a soccer match between Royal Antwerp FC and KAA Gent, Thursday 16 May 2019 in Antwerp, on day 9 (out of 10) of the Play-off 1 of the ‘Jupiler Pro League’ Belgian soccer championship. (Getty Images)

The Norwegian has netted 21 goals and five assists in all competitions, with 16 goals and four assists coming in the Super Lig. The report (h/t The Birmingham Mail) Aston Villa had sent scouts to watch the striker in his game against Fenerbahce. Sorloth scored and provided an assist to help Trabzonspor come from behind to beat Fenerbahce 2-1.

Aston Villa strengthened their strike department in January following the season-ending injury to Wesley Moraes and the exit of Jonathan Kodjia. They signed Mbwana Samatta from KRC Genk before snapping up Borja Baston on a free transfer from Swansea City on the transfer deadline day. Baston has a contract at Villa Park until the end of the season.

Whether the Villans retain their top-flight status or head back to the Championship at the end of the season, they must definitely reinforce their front line in the summer. Wesley is set to be sidelined for 6 to 9 months after sustaining knee ligament damage, while Borja Baston is out of contract in the summer. That should be enough to suggest why Villa would need a new striker before the new season starts.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith all smiles after he guided the club to promotion. (Getty Images)
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith all smiles after he guided the club to promotion. (Getty Images)

However, the East Midlands club must avoid signing Alexander Sorloth. The 24-year-old, who joined Palace in January 2018 for a fee of £9million (h/t BBC), managed only 20 appearances in England and scored just one goal. He has since spent time on loan at Gent and now Trabzonspor, where he has quite simply flourished with 19 goals and five assists in all competitions.

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There’s no doubt that he’s thrived in Turkey, but Sorloth never really showed promise in the Premier League. He was given enough chances to perform at Palace but the Norwegian failed to deliver and live up to the expectations of the Selhurst Park faithful.

Verdict

Thus, going purely by his past experience in English football, it would be wise of Aston Villa to drop their interest in Sorloth, even if he’s performed really well for Trabzonspor.