In a significant development during the January transfer window, Aston Villa have reportedly initiated contact regarding the potential signing of Moroccan international striker Youssef En-Nesyri. The 28-year-old forward, currently plying his trade with Turkish giants Fenerbahce, finds himself at the centre of considerable European interest as the deadline approaches.
Villa Join Growing List of Suitors for Prolific Forward
According to renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa have entered the fray for En-Nesyri's signature, making an official enquiry within the last twenty-four hours. This move places the Birmingham club alongside established Italian sides Napoli and Juventus, who have already registered their interest in the prolific marksman.
Furthermore, reports from earlier in the window suggested that Merseyside club Everton are also monitoring the situation, seeking attacking reinforcements to provide competition for their current options. This multi-club interest underscores En-Nesyri's reputation as one of Europe's most sought-after striking talents.
En-Nesyri's Impressive Career Trajectory
The Moroccan international boasts an impressive footballing CV, having spent the last decade establishing himself across Europe's top leagues. Beginning his European journey with Real Malaga in Spain, En-Nesyri subsequently represented Leganes before securing a transformative move to Sevilla in 2019.
During his tenure with Sevilla, the striker made 196 appearances, netting 73 goals and providing eight assists. His most prolific campaign came in the 2020/21 season, where he found the net 24 times across all competitions. Notably, En-Nesyri played instrumental roles in Sevilla's two Europa League triumphs during this period, simultaneously becoming the highest-scoring Moroccan player in La Liga history.
Current Form and Potential Villa Fit
Since joining Fenerbahce last summer as one of Jose Mourinho's inaugural high-profile signings, En-Nesyri has maintained his scoring prowess. His debut campaign in Turkey yielded 30 goals from 52 matches across all competitions, followed by eight goals in 25 appearances this season.
From Aston Villa's perspective, the Moroccan represents a potentially astute acquisition. Manager Unai Emery has been persistently seeking secondary striking options to bolster his attacking ranks, with the protracted pursuit of Tammy Abraham proving challenging due to complications with Besiktas, who agreed a loan deal for the England international earlier this year.
En-Nesyri's profile aligns with Villa's apparent transfer strategy, sharing similarities with other linked forwards like Abraham and Jean Philippe Mateta. At 28 years old, he arguably occupies the prime years of a centre-forward's career, offering proven goal-scoring ability at the highest level.
European Pedigree and Decision Timeline
Perhaps most appealing to Villa's ambitions is En-Nesyri's demonstrated capability in European competitions. The striker has registered 12 goals in 37 Europa League appearances and an equally impressive 10 goals from just 20 Champions League outings. This experience could prove invaluable as Villa continue to compete on multiple fronts.
Romano indicates that En-Nesyri is expected to make a decision regarding his future imminently, with several clubs vying for his signature. The timing adds intrigue, as the striker could potentially feature against Villa in European competition shortly after the club's reported enquiry.
While Villa's primary focus has centred on Abraham, with agreements reportedly reached on the player's side, the complications with Besiktas have prompted exploration of alternative options. En-Nesyri represents a potentially more straightforward acquisition, given the different contractual landscape.
As the January window enters its decisive phase, Aston Villa's attacking reinforcement strategy appears to be accelerating. Whether En-Nesyri becomes the chosen solution remains uncertain, but the club's proactive approach demonstrates their determination to strengthen their forward line before the deadline closes.
