Aston Villa transfer news: El Ghazi set to go to Everton in deal worth £15 million

El Ghazi set to sign for Everton after just 44 minutes of play under Gerrard.
El Ghazi looks to leave Villa and heads for Everton as Digne heads to VillaEl Ghazi looks to leave Villa and heads for Everton as Digne heads to Villa
El Ghazi looks to leave Villa and heads for Everton as Digne heads to Villa

As Lucas Digne looks set to make his move from Everton to Aston Villa, Anwar El Ghazi looks just moments away from moving the opposite way round.

The Italian sports journalist, Fabrizio Romano, was the first to report the news of the Dutch left-back’s potential move to the Blues as it was suggested he may be part of the deal with the French international.

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In his first tweet, the Italian said: “Aston Villa have been working for days to sign Lucas Dign. They’ve always been frontrunners - Chelsea out of the race.

“Talks on, not 100% agreed yet between clubs. El Ghazi also been discussed - nothing agreed on this point as Everton want cash. Next week will be key.”

El Ghazi had been set up for a swap deal with DigneEl Ghazi had been set up for a swap deal with Digne
El Ghazi had been set up for a swap deal with Digne

In a recent update on the transfer, Romano tweeted: “Everton are set to sign Anwar El Ghazi from Aston Villa. Deal at final stages, medical tests in place too. Last details to be completed in the next few hours.

“El Ghazi was discussed into Digne talks as revealed few days ago. Separated deal. Digne will join Villa today.”

Here is all the latest on El Ghazi’s move from Aston Villa…

Who is Anwar El Ghazi?

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The 27-year-old is a Dutch and Moroccan footballer who started his youth career with BVV Barendrecht in 2000.

From here, he spent time with Feyenoord, Spartaan ‘20, Sparta Rotterdam before joining Ajax in 2013 when he then went on to join the senior squad.

His first appearance for the Netherlands national team was as part of their U17 squad in 2011. He has subsequently represented his country at U18 and U21 level before making their senior squad in 2015.

El Ghazi playing for Ajax in 2014El Ghazi playing for Ajax in 2014
El Ghazi playing for Ajax in 2014

The winger had the option to play for both the Netherlands and Morocco but ultimately made the choice to play for the country of his birth as it was suggested he would have a higher chance to play in international tournaments.

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Since joining Villa in 2018, the winger has scored 20 goals in his 72 appearances for the club in the Premier League.

He is currently enjoying a League cup rating of 8.50 and a Premier League rating of 6.33 according to whoscored.com.

How much will El Ghazi go for?

El Ghazi joined Villa in 2019 for £8 million. The Dutch winger started out with Ajax in 2014 before moving to Lille in 2017.

The 27-year-old was subsequently sent on loan to Arsenal in 2018 and signed a permanent contract with the club in 2019.

El Ghazi is set to go for £15 million having been bought for £8 millionEl Ghazi is set to go for £15 million having been bought for £8 million
El Ghazi is set to go for £15 million having been bought for £8 million
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Under Steven Gerrard, the Dutchman has only played 44 minutes of action and would appear to be very much down in the pecking order.

Despite his lack of playing time, Villa would likely be requesting £15million for their man from Everton - a sum that would be achieved due to the selling of Lucas Digne who is set to go for £25 million.

What are the fans saying?

The fans, as usual, are offering mixed reviews on the decision.

@gavinspurs has said: “What a terrible signing by Everton. They really are a shambles of a club at the minute with no direction. This will be an expensive purchase who will just stack up behind Iwobi, etc as the next expensive average footballers at Everton. Feel sad for their fans.”

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@Imechegaray on the other hand said: “If Anwar El Ghazi leaves, I will wish him all the very best. He’s an emotionally complex departure. Yes #AVFC is moving on, thinking bigger than what he brings, but he gave us some of the most important goals in recent years.”

@Dazmills79 tweeted “A new challenge for Anwar is what he probably needs, he’s become stale at Villa. If he can find some of the good form that helped us back to the prem he’ll be a good signing for Everton.”

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