In November, we covered claims which stated Omar El Hilali was of interest to multiple Premier League clubs. Those clubs were named as Manchester City, Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion.
El Hilali had already turned down Manchester United when a youth player and had twice rejected overtures from Barcelona, wanting to stay loyal to his current club Espanyol.
The 21-year-old right back is very attached to Espanyol, being local to the club and having come through their youth system, then reaching the first team via a stint in the B side.
The November reports stated if Manchester City, Aston Villa or Brighton wanted to push ahead for the signing then they’d have to pay the youngster’s €15m buyout clause.
Tuesday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo covers an English report which has dragged all the three clubs back into the mix. They then say the €15m would be a ridiculously low figure for El Hilali to move for.
Therefore, he’d obviously represent a potential bargain for Manchester City, Aston Villa or Brighton.
Mundo Deportivo explain Espanyol are banking on the player’s love for them, and they state he’s previously said: “If Espanyol offer me a lifelong contract, I will stay here forever.”
Whilst there’s confidence he wants to stay, that needs converting into a new contract with a much higher clause.
