Aston Villa: Dean Smith talks transfers after Wesley injury
Steven Nzonzi is set to join Ligue 1 side Rennes on loan from Roma after rejecting a move to Aston Villa, who are now looking for attacking reinforcements. Nzonzi has been among Villa’s targets this month but the midfielder has now opted against returning to the Premier League.
Manager Dean Smith has already signed Danny Drinkwater on loan from Chelsea but retained an interest in Nzonzi prior to the snub.
The France international has been suspended indefinitely by Galatasaray, where he has been on loan this season, after reportedly walking out of training in December.
The Turkish champions’ manager Fatih Terim slammed the 31-year-old’s behaviour and branded him “disrespectful”.
Aston Villa tried to take advantage of his availability but Nzonzi appears to prefer to join Rennes as his family lives in France.
Galatasaray loanee Steven Nzonzi is set to join Rennes (Image: GETTY)
The Ligue 1 outfit have been very impressive this season under Julien Stephan and have climbed to third place in the league behind Marseille and table toppers Paris Saint-Germain.
Villa are now prioritising a new striker and are lining up a bid for Leicester centre-forward Islam Slimani, who plays on loan at Monaco.
The Villans have also considered bringing Christian Benteke back to Villa Park from Crystal Palace.
Smith is as “confident as can be” that the club will sign a new striker before the transfer window slams shut on Friday.
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So far, Villa have also signed goalkeeper Pepe Reina on loan from AC Milan and striker Mbwana Samatta, arriving for a fee in the region of £8.5million from Genk.
Smith said when asked how confident he is of further additions before the end of the week: “As confident as I can be.
“We've got a list of names we're working on to get them over the line.
“Obviously, Friday night is the deadline. We'll continue to try and push them over the line. I'm as confident as I can be."