Aston Villa are reportedly one of the clubs who tried to sign Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan in the last transfer window.
The information was revealed by official Francesco Di Frisco, who had been intermediating the talks for the player’s move this summer.
The agent was interviewed by Italian outlet Calciomercato.it today, and besides mentioning the interest from the Premier League side, he also claimed that Aston Villa could be back for him in January.
“There were many teams on Simakan: Lyon, Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund, especially the Germans tried until the last hours of the market”, Francesco Di Frisco told Calciomercato.
” In January, I think these clubs, including Milan, will try to push again. The boy has picked up where he left off, showing his qualities and it’s possible that his admirers will also increase.”
During the interview, Di Frisco claimed that Strasbourg had been demanding €20m for Simakan’s move, and for clubs to close the deal, they’d had to offer at least €15m plus bonuses.
Simakan comes from Strasbourg’s academy and only has 33 appearances for the club so far. But his first season as a professional was apparently enough to attract a big race for his singing.
Despite being mainly a centre-back, he’s also been used at right-back and in defensive midfield.
