£16m flop tells Aston Villa he will do 'everything' to ensure transfer exit

Morgan Sanson has reaffirmed his desire to leave Aston Villa and sign a permanent deal with OGC Nice. He is currently on a season-long loan at the French club, and wants to remain at the Allianz Riviera beyond the current campaign.

The 29-year-old has made 14 appearances for Nice in Ligue One so far, and has not missed a game. He's got a goal and two assists, and has started 12 of the 14 games he's been involved in. Nice are currently challenging for the title, and are four points behind PSG.

“Yes, of course," said Sanson to Get French Football News when asked if he wanted to stay at his current loan club.

"Florent Ghisolfi has said the same thing that he wanted me involved in the project for the long term. Even if there is a permanent option with clauses that are very much attainable, I think I’ll be here for a while. I will do everything to ensure that the option is triggered."

Sanson joined from Marseille in January 2021 for a reported £16m however the move has not worked out having been signed by Dean Smith who was manager at the time. He did not feature in the plans of Steven Gerrard when he was appointed, and his time in the Midlands has also been hampered by injuries.

He has made just 23 appearances for the Villians with 15 of them being from the substitute's bench. The former Montpellier maestro was loaned to Strasbourg in the 2023 January transfer window having found first-team opportunities limited under Unai Emery. Sanson did travel with Villa to their pre-season tour of the United States, but was deemed surplus to requirements, and joined Nice in July.

His contract at Villa Park runs until the summer of 2025, however it is likely that he will depart before then, and Villa will be willing to cut their losses. It was reported earlier this year by Get French Football News that Nice do have an option to sign him permanently. Nice are currently paying €1million in loan fees, and have the opportunity to sign him for €5million.