Former Barcelona winger is a target signing for Aston Villa in January

According to reports, Aston Villa is still hoping to sign former Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli during the January transfer window.

Aston Villa, a Premier League team, is reportedly eager to add 21-year-old

Abde Ezzalzouli to their roster and has made him their top transfer target,

according to a report from Football Transfers.

Ezzalzouli joined Barcelona in the summer of 2021.

Nevertheless, it was during his loan stint at Osasuna the previous season

34 appearances across all competitions—that he made an impression on the Spanish club,

tallying six goals and dishing out a couple of assists.

Additionally, the Moroccan phenomenon made it possible for Los Rojillos to advance to their first Copa del Rey final,

where they were defeated by Real Madrid. After Abde returned to Catalonia,

Barca manager Xavi Hernandez tried to keep him,

but he was unable to provide the 21-year-old with the regular playing time

he wanted due to the entrance of Joao Felix on loan and the rise of rising star Lamine Yamal.

Among the teams hoping to recruit him were Aston Villa,

who had even worked out personal terms with the young player during the previous transfer window.

However, on the deadline day, Abde was able to obtain a permanent transfer to

Betis due to a discrepancy in valuation with Barcelona.

As they attempt to continue on a fantastic start to the season for the high-flying Lions,

Unai Emery is still rumored to be keen on getting the

Morocco international to Villa Park and has identified him as one of his key objectives for next month.

A player like Ezzalzouli, who is highly regarded and has a high ceiling and tons of potential,

would be a terrific addition to Villa’s roster.

In addition to adding to the attacking depth right now,

he would develop into one of the team’s best players down the road.

Nevertheless, it’s known that Emery can face obstacles from the

Real Betis administration due to a disagreement he had with

Villa’s sporting director Monchi during his time in Seville.

Abde signed a €7.5 million contract with Betis over the summer after leaving Barcelona,

and his contract at Benito Villamarin Stadium expires in 2028.

There are two major clauses included in the deal:

first, Barcelona owns 50% of the player’s rights and the right to buy him back at a later time.

Los Verdiblancos would almost certainly demand a high price for their asset because

they would be obligated to give the Blaugrana half of it.

In light of everything mentioned above,

Ezzalzouli is a player Villa supporters should keep a watch on as the January transfer window approaches.