Aston Villa consider signing midfield star who nearly cost them dearly

Aston Villa are one of several Premier League sides considering the free agent signing of Yusuf Yazici, who almost knocked them out of Europe last season.

Yazici is currently without a club, having left Lille in the summer after five years with the team. He joined the French side in 2019 following interest from Manchester United.

The versatile midfielder – who plays primarily as an attacking midfielder – was loaned out twice during his time at Lille, first to CSKA Moscow and then to Trabzonspor, his former team.

He could now represent a third club in four years.

Indeed, HITC Reports indicate that Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Bournemouth are all ‘considering offers’ for the Turkish midfielder.

He is believed to be hoping for a move to the Premier League.

And it is suggested that Villa will have a pre-meeting with Yazici in their thoughts, amid their decision on whether to sign him or not.

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Yazici almost cost Villa dearly

The Villans faced Yazici’s Lille side in the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League last season. He was a quiet presence in the first leg, only managing to make a 30-minute appearance in Villa’s 2-1 win.

But in the second, he almost ensured that the English team would not be able to progress to the next round.

Indeed, Yazici opened the scoring quickly, within 15 minutes, before Benjamin André doubled Lille’s lead on the day.

Without Matty Cash’s 87th-minute equaliser, Villa would never have reached the next round. They needed extra time and a penalty shootout to confirm their place, with the threat lingering after Yazici’s goal.

Had Villa not reached the semi-finals of European competition, where their run ended, they might not have had the confidence in Europe that saw them beat Young Boys 3-0 on their Champions League debut on Tuesday.

Aston Villa take familiar path

Yazici is not the only player who has caused problems for Villa and is wanted by Unai Emery’s side.

Ernest Muci scored three goals against them in the two home and away games with Legia Warsaw last season, in the same competition where they suffered the wrath of Yazici. The Villans are now reportedly considering a cheap move for Muci in January.

Meanwhile, they are among the teams who have been linked with a move for Bryan Mbeumo, having scored three goals in the first three games of the Premier League season.

The Villans are also keeping tabs on Girona pair Miguel Gutierrez and Viktor Tsygankov, with their clear desire to win the Champions League.

Yazici’s recent career

The fact that Yazici is currently without a club comes as a surprise, as he had a fantastic final season with Lille, scoring 12 goals in all competitions and providing four assists.

Five of his goals have come in the ten European matches played by Lille.

Since leaving the club, Yazici has reportedly been offered to Manchester United, among other English clubs.

And with more and more players joining the pack, it looks like he could eventually have a choice of Premier League teams, allowing him to realise his dream of playing in the English top flight.

If his form last season is anything to go by – and indeed throughout his time at Lille – he should certainly be receiving offers.