Aston Villa have emerged in pole position to sign up-and-coming Moroccan star Yannis Benshauchi after making a concrete offer for the AS Monaco goalkeeper ahead of the summer transfer window.
As first reported by AfricaFoot, the Midlands club has moved from mere interest to decisive action.
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According to reports, Villa have signed a five-year contract with a net annual salary of 850,000 euros.
In a move aimed at smoothing negotiations with Monaco, where Benches formally rejected a professional contract, Villa included a substantial future sale clause to avoid a lengthy dispute over training fees.
Aston Villa lead the race but face tough competition
While Unai Emery’s side are leading the charge in Europe, they face a huge financial threat from Qatar.
Al Gharafa entered this fight with an impressive package worth $1.2 million per year, plus a $300,000 annual signing bonus.
The 19-year-old’s battle doesn’t end here. The report reveals that Benshauch is currently on the ‘wish list’ of 10 different clubs.
Premier League rivals Bournemouth remain interested after their winter bid failed, while Serie A giants Inter Milan, Modena and Monza are also monitoring the situation. There is further interest from the Eredivisie, Belgian Pro League and Spain’s La Liga.
Who is Giannis Benshauch?
One of the most highly-regarded young goalkeepers in French football, Benchache has enjoyed a dramatic development at AS Monaco.
Despite his young age, he has been a consistent presence in Monaco’s Under-19 and ‘Group Elite’ teams, and is renowned for his exceptional reflexes and modern style of play.
Benshauch, who was born in France but represents Morocco internationally, has already earned a cap for Morocco’s U20 team.
His refusal to sign a professional contract with the principality has made him one of Europe’s most sought-after free talents, as FIFA regulations currently allow him to sign pre-contracts with clubs outside France.
Aston Villa are currently competing in the top end of the Premier League, so the chances of him signing them are much higher compared to other teams.
