Aston Villa Transfer News: Villans eyeing AFCON striker as Mateta backup

Aston Villa have reportedly settled on a backup striker target if their approach for Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta proves unsuccessful.

Villa have looked to take advantage of the chaos unfolding in south London, with the Eagles selling captain Marc Guehi and confirming the future departure of manager Oliver Glasner in the past few weeks.

To make matters worse, it looks like star striker Mateta is on his way out, with the Frenchman informing the club he wants to leave, as clubs like Villa and Juventus circle.

But according to a new report, Villa have put contingency plans in place should they miss out on the FA Cup winner, and are aiming ambitiously high.

Turkish outlet Fotomac (as per TEAMtalk) has claimed that Marmoush is a target for Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.

Given Villa’s interest in Mateta, Marmoush is presumably a backup option given Mateta’s situation leaves him much closer to an exit.

It has been suggested that the signing of Antoine Semenyo at Man City could lead to Marmoush seeking first-team opportunities elsewhere.

Super Lig outfit Fenerbahce have also been named as willing suitors for the Egyptian, with the Turkish title challengers expected to discuss a move with City officials in the coming days.

Meanwhile, it is thought that any offer from Villa or Spurs would be expected to come in the shape of a loan deal.

A temporary move would be easier on Villa’s finances, and having already signed a couple of players in the January window thus far, one eye may already be on PSR constraints, which have hampered Villa in the past.

It would not be a surprise if this is part of the thinking process for Emery, who sanctioned Donyell Malen’s departure for over £20m.

Marmoush would still have to fight for his place at Villa amid the form of Ollie Watkins, but he will surely see him as a more movable object than the understandably undroppable Erling Haaland.

However, given that Fenerbahce seem further down the road in their pursuit of the City forward, you could argue Villa are either confident of landing Mateta or happy to risk getting no one at all.

Graduated in Sport Journalism (BA) with first-class honours from the University of Brighton and has since had bylines in The Times, sports business publication SportsPro, Football FanCast and The Gooner fanzine.

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