Aston Villa have been in contact to sign Bologna winger Jonathan Rowe, alongside their move for Chelsea star Alejandro Garnacho.
Following Morgan Rogers’ departure to Chelsea, Villa have set out to improve their attack, and they are closing in on Garnacho, while Nicolas Jackson could also end up joining in a double deal.
However, Rowe has also emerged as a target, after giving Matty Cash nightmares in the Europa League last season.
That is according to Gabby Agbonlahor, who said: “I watched him in the games against Aston Villa and Matty Cash is a top defender, but he ripped him, ripped him up, Jeff.
“He was direct, stop-start, quick, very sharp. He’s a player that I really want Aston Villa to go and get. If you look at his appearances last season, he could score more goals, Jeff, only three goals in 28 league games and only four goals in 12 Europa League games.
“Has he got to produce more output in goals and assists? Yes, he does, but if there’s a manager to get it out of him, it’s Unai Emery.”
The 23-year-old bagged four goals and two assists in 12 Europa League matches, and averaged 2.7 successful dribbles per 90 in the Serie A, which was 0.9 more than any other member of the Bologna squad.
Moreover, Emery is known to be an admirer of the Bologna star, having personally identified him as a summer transfer target back in May.
Aston Villa make approach to sign Jonathan Rowe
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Aston Villa have lodged an enquiry regarding a deal for Rowe, who is also being targeted by Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton and Newcastle United.
A ‘compelling offer’ will be needed to tempt the Italian side into a sale though, as they don’t wish to sell him, and he remains under contract until the summer of 2029.
Much like Garnacho, the young winger most commonly plays on the left flank, and there are some indications he could be a better signing than the Argentine.
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Who should Aston Villa sign? |
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Jonathan Rowe |
Rowe has been described as a “top winger” by Agbonlahor, and he picked up eight goals and five assists for Bologna in all competitions last season. Despite Bologna losing 3-1 against Villa in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final, the Englishman was seriously impressive, picking up a 9.1 SofaScore rating after scoring a late goal, completing four dribbles, and creating one big chance. Performing at that level against the eventual winners of the Europa League suggests he could make a real difference in Emery’s side. |
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Alejandro Garnacho |
Agbonlahor hasn’t been quite as complimentary about Garnacho, claiming the Chelsea man is “not a good player”, but he is more experienced than Rowe in England. The 22-year-old has picked up 17 goals and 14 assists in 117 Premier League matches, while he has also picked up eight Argentina caps. That said, after scoring just one league goal last season, the former Manchester United star will need to seriously step up if he is going to impress Emery. |
Garnacho and Jackson aren’t the only players who could be heading to Villa Park this summer, as the Europa League winners have also been presented with the opportunity to sign Liam Delap.
