Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard will run the rule over loaned-out Frederic Guilbert in the summer, The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece says.
The lowdown
Villa paid £4.5million to sign Guilbert, a right-back, from SM Caen back in 2019, and he made 25 Premier League appearances during their first season back in the top flight.
Last January, half a season on from the arrival of Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest, he sealed a loan move to RC Strasbourg.
That spell in Alsace was extended in the summer and will run to the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
Guilbert, who’s valued at £5.4million by Transfermarkt, has featured in the Ligue 1 outfit’s last 17 games, starting 14.
His £40,000-per-week Villa contract has 18 months left to run.
The latest
Preece was asked in a fan Q & A whether Gerrard would give Guilbert a chance to challenge Matty Cash ahead of the 2022/23 season.
“He’ll have a good look at him in the summer before a decision is made,” he replied. “He’s been doing well in France!”
The verdict
Guilbert could be worth a try. Since his switch to Strasbourg a year ago, he’s impressively laid on seven assists in 33 matches.
Compare that to Cash, who’s in the midst of something of a barren run in that department. His last Premier League assist came way back in December 2020.
Gerrard may want more production from full-back, which was a key part of his success at Rangers.
And that could open the door for the 27-year-old, who may still harbour hopes of resurrecting his Villa career.
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