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Aston Villa are still in the market for a winger following the departure of Morgan Rogers and that has seen Jonathan Rowe enter their radar once again.
Replacing Rogers will be no easy task. There's good reason why Chelsea turned the England international into the most expensive British player of all time at £117m and good reason why Aston Villa valued him that high.
REUTERS/Caean Couto
The Villans have spent the money well so far, welcoming Johan Manzambi from under Newcastle United's noses, before also signing Joao Gomes from Midlands rivals Wolves and Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea.
There could still be more on the way, starting with Rowe. The Bologna winger enjoyed an impressive spell in the second half of last season after joining Bologna from Marseille in a move which took place after his publicised fight with teammate Adrien Rabiot.
It was at Bologna last season that the former Norwich City man put on a show in front of Aston Villa. When the Serie A side squared off against Villa in the last eight of the Europa League, Rowe particularly ensured it wasn't a quiet night for Matty Cash in Italy, scoring a late goal to cap off a solid display.
Jonathan Rowe vs Aston Villa
Minutes
90
Goals
1
Successful dribbles
4 (most in match)
Chances created
2
Touches in opposition box
6 (most in match)
It seems as though that audition was enough to impress Unai Emery, with Villa targeting a move for the Englishman ever since. On paper, he ticks a lot of boxes and recent reports have also provided those in the Midlands with their most promising sign yet that a deal could be possible.
REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli
As reported by Corriere di Bologna, and relayed by Sport Witness, Aston Villa have now been gifted the green light to sign Rowe, who is looking to leave Bologna after an approach from the Midlands.
The Italian club have previously stood firm, rejecting an offer worth €35m (£30m) from Everton, but Rowe's representatives are now urging them to change their sale stance and let their client leave this summer, with a feeling 'Bologna will fold if Aston Villa or others get serious'.
Bologna have indeed named the price they're willing to accept, with reports claiming that they're looking for around €45m (£39m) to sell Rowe this month. It remains to be seen whether Villa pay that price, but it's certainly within their range after selling Rogers and Tielemans.
Since leaving Marseille amid controversy, Rowe has only earned praise at Bologna from those in the dressing room and those watching on, including teammate Lewis Ferguson.
"He’s been excellent, he’s one of those guys who can win you games and when I speak about fine margins and moments, he’s the kind of guy who can make the difference. He’s such a good out-ball to have on that side because we know when he receives the ball, something is going to happen."
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