Aston Villa target £50m midfield maestro as potential John McGinn rival

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is reportedly eyeing reinforcements in the January transfer window following the club’s recent 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United. Despite having a strong squad at his disposal, bringing in one or two new signings could inject some fresh energy as Villa continue to compete on multiple fronts this season.

According to reports from Spanish outlet AS, Villa are competing to sign Real Sociedad attacking midfielder Brais Mendez. However, they face competition from Premier League rivals West Ham United, who are also interested in the player. Mendez has a release clause of £50 million in his contract, which runs until 2028.

The 27-year-old Spaniard has impressed this season, registering 3 goals and 3 assists across all competitions while playing in both attacking and deeper midfield roles. In La Liga, Mendez has created 2 big chances and averages 1.1 key passes and 4.1 duels won per match, demonstrating his ability to contribute both offensively and defensively.

Interestingly, statistics show that Mendez has a similar profile to Villa captain John McGinn. This season, both players have recorded comparable numbers across various metrics in their respective leagues:

• Goals + assists: 3 each
• Total shots: 18 vs 19
• Shot-creating actions per 90: 2.68 vs 3.14
• Tackles won: 11 vs 10

Signing Mendez could provide valuable competition and depth in midfield for Villa, potentially easing the burden on McGinn who has featured heavily this season. While the £50 million price tag is significant, Mendez’s skillset and similarities to a key Villa player suggest he could be a shrewd investment if Emery can beat out rival interest to secure his signature in January.