Speculation: Yannick Djalo Joining in January

[Shoody]

Portugal international Yannick Djalo is to sign for Aston Villa in the January transfer window. French club Nice have agreed a deal with the Premier League club for the 25-year-old.

The speedy forward made the switch from Sporting to Nice on August 31st this year - transfer deadline day. However, the deal was completed minutes after the midnight cut-off point and FIFA refused to sanction the transfer. Sporting did not accept the player back, saying Nice were at fault for failing to process the deal in time. As a result Yannick went to France, but has been unable to kick a ball in anger since leaving Lisbon.

Nice are now to let the player go without having played a single minute for the club. Portuguese state radio station, Antena 1, tonight reported that the clubs have reached agreement, although it is not yet known if it will be a loan or permanent deal.

Yannick Djalo was touted as one of Portugal's great hopes early in his career. Despite sporadic displays of brilliance, he was unable to add consistency to his game, and left Sporting under something of a cloud after being targeted for booing by sections of the Alvalade crowd. He has often stated he would like to play in England.

As the piece says, he was very highly rated but didnt quite meet it. A few people saying he's more of a winger than a striker can play both sides and also upfront. As a replacement for Heskey...fine. But sounds a bit like a Gabby/Fonz type player but I could be wrong, not sure we would need another fast, speedy forward when Fonz isnt getting game time. Would put Albrighton further down the pecking line which is also a shame.

But a player is a player!


Some Stats:
2010/11
Appearances: 17 (+4 from Subs bench)
Shots on Goal: 6
Shots on Target: 6
Goals: 6

2009/10
Appearances: 13 (+5 from Subs Bench)
Shots on Goal: 13
Shots on Target: 7
Goals: 6

2008/09
Appearances: 6 (+10 from bench)
Shots: 1
On Target: 1
Goals: 1

Doesnt get very many assists. Only 4 in total since 2008. On that basis I cant see him being much use from the wing considering he's been playing in Portugal to only get 4 assists is pretty poor imo. But it looks as though if he gets a Shot on Target... It's going to go in. Very Close to a 100% StrikeRate in that!

Worrying that he's a speedy striker, who is consistent with goals (sort of..) and doesnt get very many assists... the 'We're selling Bent' people will be out in force! But I dont think we are, this is just Gabby's replacement.

(i kid)

[luke25]

Hmmm well thats came out of the blue, he's absolute lightening quick and was supposed to be the next wonderkid a couple of years ago, thats pretty much all I know about the lad.

[Irish villain]

I hope we get him in and that he proves a good signing.

[Greg N'Ash]

call me cynical but the first thought in my head was who's being sold?

[dave.woodhall]

And which uber-reliable news source has this come from?

[bertlambshank]

Average of less than 10 games a season.
No thanks.

[john e]

He's already used to hearing his own fans booing him,
So that bodes well for the future

[Shoody]

And which uber-reliable news source has this come from?

I got the story from Portugoal.net

Timothy Abraham of the Express and Star is chasing it up now and will announce later what he finds out.

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

I've heard of him before.

Dunno how good he is though.

[Greg N'Ash]

I hope its not true. 25 year old forward in probably the only position in the team we have quality in. I mean why would any sane manager look at at our team and go "hmmm....the forwards look particulary weak". Unless this is the start of Randy re-opening his chequebook!!!111111

 *cough* Bent gone by February *cough*

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Old story. He was shite then, nothing's changed.

In other news, Aston Villa have offered 42 year old Emile Heskey a 3 and a half year contract.

[KevinGage]

He was linked with us a few years ago (back in 2009 IIRC)  so it could just be the mother of all rehashes.

If we get the chance to look at a half decent player and exploit his current status than fair enough.  From what I understand he's more of an N'Zog type, rather than a winger who gets to the line and bangs crosses in.   If he provides competition for places and gives CNZ a kick up the arse then why not.

Edit.  MK beat me too it.

[Grande Pablo]

Perhaps we have a surplus of letters left after stockpiling for Djemba-Djemba but never using them.

[Vanilla]

I hope it's just his agent trying to tout him around.

How much would he be, £8-10 million.

Bent out for £25 million???

If it is a new purchase, not funded by a sale, what is the use of striker? We might as well just get a statue from B'ham City centre and plonk it up front, considering the amount of service he is going to get.

[darren woolley]

I hope he turns out to be a good signing.