Aston Villa selling winger Anwar El Ghazi this summer would be somewhat of a surprise to Midlands-based journalist Josh Holland.
Villa have been busy in the transfer market so far, and they could now be set to offload some players ahead of next season.
What's the latest transfer news involving Aston Villa?
After bringing in Philippe Coutinho, Diego Carlos, Boubacar Kamara and Robin Olsen, the Villans want to sell four players this summer.
According to The Times, they are ready to listen to offers for Trezeguet, Bertrand Traore, Morgan Sanson and El Ghazi.
The quartet were used sparingly last season, and now appear to be surplus to requirements at Villa Park.
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What has Holland said about this transfer report?
El Ghazi was sent out on loan to Everton for the second part of last season, but Holland has hinted that he still feels the winger could have something to offer at Villa, even though it looks like he will now be moved on.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT about Villa wanting to sell four players, Holland said: “I think all of them are expected. I think the only one I was surprised about would be El Ghazi. I rated him when he was at Ajax and Lille. It’s not really worked for him in England, and his loan move to Everton, I can’t even remember him feature for them at all.”
Should Villa keep hold of El Ghazi?
El Ghazi has certainly had a respectable career at Villa, helping the side gain promotion to the Premier League while he was on loan, before the club opted to sign him permanently for £8m in 2019.
He then enjoyed his best goalscoring season in 2020/21, netting 10 times in the league. However, Villa went on to sign Emiliano Buendia and Leon Bailey last summer, and he then fell out of favour under new manager Steven Gerrard.
His exploits in 2020/21 indicate that he is capable of making key contributions, but his stock has certainly fallen over the past 12 months, with his spell at Everton going disastrously as he spent most of the time on the bench.
It is hard to see him getting back into Gerrard's starting XI moving forward, and with the 27-year-old having just one year left on his contract, it could be best for him to move elsewhere now, so that Villa don't lose him for nothing in 2023.