Villarreal defender Juan Foyth has insisted he did not receive an offer from Aston Villa in the January transfer window, but Unai Emery is a manager he respects, nonetheless.
El Periodico de Mediterraneo have an interview with the defender today in which he speaks about Villarreal and the ‘offer’ from Aston Villa.
Numerous reports in the January transfer window linked Aston Villa with a move as they looked to bolster their defensive options before the end of the window.
Foyth was reportedly at the top of the list, with Unai Emery a big fan of the defender after working alongside him at Villarreal.
The Argentine, who can play as a right-back or a centre-back would have helped fill two problem positions for Aston Villa and is a player Emery knows, likes and has tried to sign on several occasions before.
A deal ultimately never happened despite claims it was close to being done, with Foyth remaining in Spain until the end of the season at least.
Several reports since have insisted he is tempted by the chance of reuniting with Emery in the summer and Villarreal would be open to a deal for the right money.
He’s now commented on the January rumours and insisted there was nothing to it, although he isn’t shying away from praising his former manager.
“At no time did any offer come to me,” he said.
“I don’t think the club received an offer either. I have no idea. But there was nothing, as I told you.
“I’m very happy here, I respect Unai (Emery) a lot, honestly, he’s a coach who gave me back my confidence, I also respect his entire coaching staff a lot.
“He’s a coach who gave me back the confidence that I had lost a little in England, so I owe him a lot. I think he’s a great coach and I hope that Aston Villa also do very well this year.”
