Unai Emery is reportedly considering a bold January transfer move to solve Aston Villa's striking woes, with a blockbuster player-plus-cash deal for Brentford's in-form forward Igor Thiago on the cards.
Villa's Striking Problem Demands January Action
The urgency for a new centre-forward at Villa Park was highlighted during Sunday's narrow 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. While Boubacar Kamara's superb strike secured three points and lifted Villa back into the Premier League's top four, the continued struggles of Ollie Watkins cast a shadow.
Watkins was dropped to the bench for the derby and, after coming on in the second half, extended his alarming run of just one goal in 19 matches across all competitions this season. With no other recognised striker in the squad, the need for proven competition is now paramount for Emery's Champions League-chasing side.
Igor Thiago Emerges as Prime £50m Target
According to recent reports, Villa's solution could be Brentford's Brazilian striker Igor Thiago. The 23-year-old has seamlessly adapted to the Premier League, netting 11 goals already this season and continuing the Bees' impressive tradition of unearthing top-tier attacking talent.
Thiago is valued at around £50 million by Aston Villa. A move to a club competing at the top end of the table could also boost his chances of securing a place in the Brazil squad for the upcoming World Cup, adding further appeal for the player.
Guessand Could Be Key in Intriguing Swap Proposal
To facilitate a mid-season deal and potentially lower the upfront cash cost, Villa are believed to be ready to include French forward Evann Guessand in the transaction. Guessand, a £23.5 million permanent signing last summer, has struggled to make an impact, scoring only once and falling out of favour under Emery.
Brentford's renowned ability to develop raw talent, particularly in attack, makes Guessand an intriguing potential makeweight. A proposed package of Guessand plus a fee in the region of £30 million could test Brentford's resolve and create one of the standout stories of the winter window.
This strategic move would give Emery the proven goalscorer he desperately needs to maintain Villa's top-four push, while offering Brentford a ready-made project player and significant funds to reinvest.
