Aston Villa given transfer message over pursuit of former Everton and Watford star

Aston Villa look to have been have been handed a boost in their bid to sign Udinese winger Gerard Deulofeu.

Unai Emery has already been active during the first three weeks of the January transfer window after completing the signings of Real Betis star Alex Moreno and Colombian winger Jhon Duran is set to arrive after Villa agreed an £18m deal with MLS side Chicago Fire.

The Spaniard is hoping to add at least two new faces to his ranks before the end of the month and there have been suggestions Marseille’s former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi and Lyon striker Moussa Dembele are on his wishlist.

However, a winger is also said to be a priority and Villa have been heavily linked with a move to bring former Everton star Deulofeu back to the Premier League after he spent the last two years in Serie A with Udinese.

After breaking through Barcelona’s famed ‘La Masia’ academy, Duelofeu has spent time with the likes of AC Milan, Sevilla and Watford before joining Udinese in a reported £13m move from the latter in January 2021. The winger has been in impressive form this season with three goals and seven assists in 18 appearances in all competitions and that has led to reported interest from Villa and Roma.

One key figure at Udinese has delivered a mixed message on Deulofeu’s future by stating the Serie A club do not want to sell the Spaniard this month - but he revealed things could change before the end of the month.

Udinese sporting director Pierpaolo Marino told Sky Sports News: “There are top clubs interested, it’s true, but nothing’s advanced as things stand. We don’t want to sell any player in January, but it could change, it will depend on many factors.”