Aston Villa president of football options Monchi has suggested that he may consider an approach for Real Madrid playmaker Arda Guler.
The West Midlands outfit will enter the closing two months of the season still in the hunt for two pieces of silverware and Champions League qualification for 2025-26.
Their hopes of going further in this year's competition and winning the FA Cup have been helped by the high-profile acquisitions of Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford during the winter transfer window.
Given the success of those two deals, priority is expected to be given to getting permanent transfers over the line in due course, yet it appears that Monchi is monitoring Guler's situation at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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Monchi goes public with Guler admiration
The 20-year-old is already a star for Turkey, as showcased in his nation's UEFA Nations League triumph over Hungary in recent days, yet he has experienced a frustrating period with Real Madrid.
Just 10 starts and 20 substitute outings have been made in all competitions this season, raising the topic of where Guler may spend 2025-26.
Speaking to Radio Marca, Monchi has hinted that he may look to sign the playmaker if it becomes clear that his future - short or long - is away from the Bernabeu.
Monchi said: "I know him well because he is a player that every sporting director has followed during his time in Turkey.
"He is a player who fulfilled a series of requirements and who could be attractive for Aston Villa because we were looking for that position. It's not the same position as Marcos Asensio, but more or less we are looking for that profile between the lines that can play as a 10 and that can even play on the outside coming inside.
"To me he seems to be a player with very good technical conditions, and I also think he has personality, he shows it when he plays for the national team. There he takes on roles that are not associated with his age."
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Music to the ears of Emery
Even while Villa sit in ninth position in the Premier League table, it is clear that they continue to evolve on an upward trajectory under Unai Emery.
Previously, supporters would not have envisaged names such as Asensio and Rashford making the move to their club, but Villa's appearance in the Champions League quarter-finals has helped turned them into a major player in the transfer market.
Negotiating their issues with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules will take priority in the background, yet club officials would realistically do whatever they can to work around those problems if Guler becomes available.
Much may depend on how much football Guler receives at the business end of this season as he determines whether Carlo Ancelotti is prepared to rely on him.
Darren Plant
