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After nine months at the club, Mbwana Samatta has agreed terms for a loan to Fenerbahçe according to sources in Turkey.
Words: Regan Foy | @findfoy
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For a large portion of this transfer window, Mbwana Samatta has been linked with a move away from Aston Villa – and Turkey has been his likely destination.
Reports have stated both Fenerbahçe and Besiktas have been interested in the Tanzanian forward, who arrived from Genk in January for a fee of around £8,500,000.
The forward joined following the injury to then record-signing Wesley, giving boss Dean Smith another option up front to the sole senior striker at the time, Keinan Davis.
Samatta scored one goal in the Premier League, against Bournemouth, and a bullet header against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Final – but struggled to find his feet in the pace of the top flight of English football.
In the window this summer, Aston Villa have purchased now record-signing Ollie Watkins – who is likely to be the main man for the season ahead – and are rumoured to be in the hunt for another attacking option, whilst Keinan Davis is also thought to be close to signing a new contract with the club.
This means that Samatta has dropped to the back of the queue at the moment – showcased by the fact that he was an unused substitute against Burton Albion in the second round of the Carabao Cup. With Wesley returning from injury within the next few months, it makes sense to cut ties with Ally.
According to Turkish sports journalist Ekrem Konur, Samatta has agreed to terms offered by Fenerbahçe and all that is left is for Aston Villa and the Turkish giants to find an agreement in their negotiations.
The deal is thought to be a season-long loan – but Aston Villa are said to want to impose a mandatory purchase option in the deal, meaning that Mbwana’s time at the club seems to be all but over.
This comes as Scott Hogan departed for Birmingham City yesterday evening, leaving Watkins, Wesley and Davis as the club’s viable striking options – but would also free up further funds to re-invest in another attacking option.
The side have been linked with Joshua King from Bournemouth, whilst deals for Bertrand Traoré and Milot Raschica are still underway.
It is thought that the club would accept a sole-loan deal, but prefers a deal that would see Mbwana Samatta end his nine-month stay at Villa Park now by moving to the Super Lig.
