Rising star winger shoots Aston Villa down with big reason for transfer rejection
Bordeaux winger Mehdi Zerkane insists that he has no interest in leaving the Ligue 1 club, amid reported transfer interest from Aston Villa.
Villa have quickly become one of the most exciting watches of the summer window. They put down a marker by agreeing a club-record deal for Norwich star Emiliano Buendia earlier this month. However, Villa are also reportedly after Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe and Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse.
The aim of club chiefs Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris is to build on last season’s impressive Premier League showing.
As such, Villa also reportedly want to bolster their attack after bringing in Bertrand Traore and Ollie Watkins in September.
Reports have claimed that Algeria international Zerkane is a target. The 21-year-old enjoyed a fantastic breakthrough season in Ligue 1, making 27 appearances.
Speaking to Algerian television (via Sport Witness), though, the winger shot down talk of him leaving – for Villa or anywhere else – this summer.
He said: “I don’t know anything about Aston Villa’s interest in me.
“What is certain is that I’m at Bordeaux and I have no desire to leave, especially since I play regularly.”
Zerkane developed in Monaco’s youth ranks, before signing for Bordeaux in the summer of 2019.
After spending the 2019/20 season in their reserves, he impressed enough to earn a place in the first team. As such, he has not looked back and could well play a more crucial role next season.
However, Fennec Football reports that there is a chance Bordeaux could sell their rising star.
The club are in dire financial straits and on the ‘verge of bankruptcy’, the source says. As a result, Bordeaux could look to make a tidy profit on Zerkane in order to ease their concerns.
However, the report does not state the sort of fee the Ligue 1 club would look to receive.
Pundit lauds Villa transfer approach
After surviving on the final day of the Premier League season in 2019/20, Villa hit back in style last season.
Beating Liverpool 7-2 at Villa Park proved a particular highlight, as Dean Smith’s men finished 11th.
But ahead of next term, one pundit has lauded the way Villa are going about their preparations in the transfer market.
READ MORE: Aston Villa draw praise as they prepare to go the distance for Arsenal star
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