Following all the speculation once again this summer about what the future would hold for largely forgotten Aston Villa midfielder, Morgan Sanson, a few eyebrows were raised when the Frenchman travelled with manager Unai Emery and the first team squad for our pre season tour of the United States.
Good luck to @Morgan_Sanson8, who has joined OGC Nice on loan until the end of the season. 👊
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 24, 2023
The 28 year old former Marseille player looked like quite the bargain given the reputation he came with, as well as us picking him up for a knock down £14 million back in the January 2021 transfer window, but having been blighted by injuries, he never quite truly settled and we certainly never saw him at his best – simply getting odd flashes of what he might have been capable of during his eight starting appearances, and 15 substitute showings.
Last January, he enjoyed a good loan spell out with Strasbourg back in Ligue 1 and Emery had recently confirmed he had left the training camp as he was on the verge of securing another move away from us for the 2023/24 campaign.
Late last night, the club confirmed that it was another loan deal, but this time to OGC Nice and additional reporting has stated that they do hold a buy option on him come the end of the campaign.
New challenge! 🔴⚫️ @ogcnice 🦅🔥 pic.twitter.com/RkQyZSAiTJ
— Morgan Sanson (@Morgan_Sanson8) July 25, 2023
Unfortunately it was just one of those deals that hasn’t worked out for either party and it is probably in everyone’s interests for him to get himself properly back on track in his homeland and then for us to part ways properly this time next summer.
Now we find out of the recent Keinan Davis and Wesley rumours are true.
I really feel for those players we’ve acquired only for circumstances to make it not work out. Morgan could have been so good for us without the injury niggles and his early arrival, it was our intention to get him in the summer window. Marvelous Nakamba seems to be happy at Luton and the fans there love him. As for Wesley, after THAT horror tackle my heart went out to him. Until that moment he was living the dream, I hope that he regains his form and finds a new home. There are others over the years who I could mention.
Agree Andy. Morgan never excelled, but he showed there was a player there. He was buggered by injuries, managerial issues and simply put, we now have a better calibre. From the flashes I saw I wish it would’ve gone differently, but it didn’t. Some transfers work like that, I wish him the best. Same as Naky, he was one signing who shone for me when given a run, but injury got in the way. He’s a specific player but even at his best, we kind of needed more. Or wanted more? He again goes with my best wishes.
As for Wesley, after Ben Mee’s assault, I don’t care where he goes, he can go non league for all I care. I just want him to not regret what could’ve been, as long as he retains a love for the game. And as for Ben Mee, Karma is often known to be a bitch even if she takes her time.
Bit nervous that Diego Costa could go the same way as Wesley. There seems an awful lot of expectation put on him based on his form before he got injured.
Should have a better idea as we progress through pre season.