According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Aston Villa are interested in Frederic Guilbert and have made an approach to bring the SM Caen defender to England. Guilbert has been a regular for the Ligue 1 side this season, but his future is in doubt as a result of their struggles – Caen currently sit 16th in the table, two places and one point above the relegation zone.
Dean Smith is on the hunt for a new right-back, likely because Alan Hutton and Ahmed Elmohamady are both out of contract next summer. James Bree has been given games in recent weeks, but he could benefit from healthy competition as well as backup in case of injury. Guilbert may not come cheap as he’s a regular for his club and still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his deal at the Stade Michel d’Ornano, but Villa won’t be put off.
Guibert looks a good potential addition to the ranks, making 19 appearances in Ligue 1 this season while averaging a tackle or interception every 15 minutes. The 24-year-old wins 59% of his aerial duels, has a 57% dribble success rate and has attempted 42 crosses. It’s not hard to see why Villa are paying an interest.
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