According to the Express, Aston Villa have missed out on reuniting manager Dean Smith with his former Brentford striker Neal Maupay as the Frenchman looks set for a £20m move to Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion.
The reports also link Villa with a move for fellow Brentford ace Said Benrahma, though it is the failed pursuit of Maupay which has caused debate amongst many at Villa Park.
The 22-year-old finished joint runner-up in the goalscoring charts last term with 25 goals from 43 appearances down in West London, tying with Villa’s loan star Tammy Abraham who netted 25 goals in 37 appearances whilst on loan from Chelsea.
Smith has already broken the club’s record transfer fee by bringing in one striker with Wesley Moraes joining from Club Brugge for £22m but many feel a suitable back-up or partner is required with Jonathan Kodjia and Scott Hogan their only other options going into their Premier League opener.
One supporter felt disappointed that the club couldn’t secure the services of Maupay but said trust was in their boss to find someone better which was echoed by others who shared similar sentiment saying that they have only missed out on him if they club were even in for him – one fan said is Smith really wanted him then he would have been a Villa player by now.
Another member of the Villa faithful called for the club to sign Daniel Sturridge who is currently out of contract and without a club whilst many seemed happy with the potential addition of Banrahma.
You can read the best of the reaction below:
Do you not think if dean smith really wanted maupay he wouldn’t of been a villa player by now. The lad has come out and said he wanted to work with smith again. Smith obviously doesn’t fancy him for the prem and has a better and bigger target in mind. Could be an exciting 1 #avfc
— Gavin Eaton (@TheRealCaptin78) August 5, 2019
I think if we get the Benrahma deal done , then we might be going for loan deal or a free transfer on a striker , disappointed we couldnt get Maupay , but seems like Wesley will be our main striker this season #avfc
— Ash Skinner (@Villaboy89) August 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/pl6pilgrim/status/1158266925740376064?s=20
We haven’t missed out on him at all, if Deano wanted him we’d have got him
— AV Brummie (@astonvillan1690) August 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/seantk83/status/1158238947178401792?s=20
Disappointed to have missed out on Maupay but trust Smith has someone better lined up. #AVFC
— Ben Franklin. (@benavfcfranklin) August 4, 2019
If it was a straight choice between Benrahma & Maupay then I’d prefer Maupay… but seems like we may be going for a different striker for whatever reason. Another one is a must. Happy with Benrahma though 👌🏼 #avfc
— Rob Jones (@UpTheAstonVilla) August 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/ReazleM/status/1158039518882213888