Aston Villa signing Villarreal forward Arnaut Danjuma would be ‘a bit of a game-changer’, journalist Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.

The Villans have been linked with a move for the highly-rated 25-year-old ever since new manager Unai Emery swapped life at the Estadio de la Cerámica for the Midlands outfit.

Aston Villa transfer news – Arnaut Danjuma

Spanish sources have stated that Villa have resumed negotiations with Villarreal for Danjuma in an attempt to reunite him with Emery.

It’s claimed that the Netherlands international has a release clause worth £66 million written into his contract, but that the Yellow Submarine are prepared to sanction his exit if a £44 million bid arrives.

Jones recently told GiveMeSport that Danjuma is being pursued by Villa and, at this moment in time, he is the most likely candidate to be a big-money arrival at Villa Park.

Danjuma himself has admitted he is ‘open’ to making a return to the Premier League after previously failing to make an impression with Bournemouth.

"You can't close the door on the Premier League,” he said. “The competitiveness of the league, the way the fans are. The Premier League is a different kind of experience. At the right time in my career, you always have to be open to coming back."

What has Jones said about Danjuma?

Over the summer, Villa offloaded several wingers either temporarily or permanently including Trezeguet, Anwar El Ghazi, and Bertrand Traore.

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

Leon Bailey is arguably the only out-and-out wide man left at the club, and Jones has told GMS that he believes Danjuma would ‘probably better suit’ what Emery demands of players in that position.

He said: “I think he'd be a bit of a game-changer, he would probably better suit what Emery is looking for in his wide players.”

Would Danjuma be a good signing?

Danjuma established himself as one of La Liga’s most clinical attackers last term, registering 16 goals and four assists in 34 appearances across all competitions.

The creative talent's impressive exploits helped Villarreal reach the semi-finals of the Champions League and saw him labelled a ‘nightmare for defenders’ by Kevin Phillips.

Injuries have hampered Danjuma’s progress somewhat in the current campaign, but he has still found the back of the net on five occasions in 15 outings.

Villa would surely benefit greatly from the added goal threat that Danjuma would provide should he make the switch, and his existing relationship with Emery should allow him to settle into his new surroundings quickly.