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Aston Villa have announced the signing of Anwar El Ghazi, but not before he had ‘announced’ it himself.
Words by Mark Jirobe | @VillaMarkPGH
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Transfers this summer for Aston Villa will undoubtedly have to be made with critical thought, a dash of resilience and a lot of patience. Multiple Villa supporters want a slew of the loanees they had in their previous season in the second tier of English football to sign on permanent deals. There are more than a few doubts lingering in the case of prolific striker Tammy Abraham and defensive stalwart Axel Tuanzebe, but Aston Villa supporters will be thrilled with the one loanee from last season who seems to have made his time at Villa Park a permanent one.
Anwar El Ghazi has agreed to sign a 4-year deal with Aston Villa after the Midlands club triggered a buy clause in the player’s loan contract. The fee is widely regarded to be 9 million Euros, or 8 million pounds.
El Ghazi is exactly what Aston Villa and Dean Smith want for life in the Premier League; able, swift, attacking and a player who seems to have supreme confidence in his own ability. The winger had up and down success this past season but could be counted upon when the chips were down in various situations. None bigger occasion than El Ghazi scoring in the EFL Championship Play-Off Final to help launch Villa back into the Premier League where they rightfully belong.
The player is familiar with the core group of his teammates, he seems to enjoy the supporters and he is physically gifted. A former Ajax Academy graduate, El Ghazi has the drive and determination to run at defenders without fear; something that could be very handy in the Premier League where defenders are more prone to backing off of attacking players in the final third of the pitch on the flanks.
El Ghazi also brings an offensive threat through his accumulation of key passes. 44 key passes, 6 goals and 6 assists are exactly why Villa were very keen to make his loan deal a permanent stay. There are no two ways about it, Villa are getting a really good footballer and a strong personality as well.
It may not be a super exciting, mega-pound transfer than Villa supporters were hoping for but it seems like a sound business decision all around, if the price-tag and term of contract reported is correct. El Ghazi is 24 years old, meaning a four contract is fair and just, as he will obviously progress and gain more experience moving forward with a club like Aston Villa.
The winger teased his own signing around 10 minutes before the club announced it:
