Aston Villa are showing interest in William Osula after suffering a setback in their pursuit of Real Madrid prodigy Gonzalo Garcia.
Garcia had the perfect start to the new year after scoring his first senior hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Real Betis on Sunday.
5
The 21-year-old academy graduate made his breakthrough in the senior scene at the Club World Cup last summer with four goals for Xabi Alonso’s team.
However, the striker was only in the starting line-up in one of Los Blancos’ first 17 LaLiga games this season, such is the range of offensive talent.
Kylian Mbappé’s knee injury gave Garcia a rare chance to impress in the starting XI against Betis and the youngster did not disappoint.
The Spaniard became the second Real Madrid player in the 21st century, along with Ruud van Nistelrooy, to score a hat-trick of his first La Liga goals.
His treble, along with goals from Raul Asencio and Fran Garcia, meant it was the first time in over 36 years that Real Madrid had scored five goals in a LaLiga game through youth players, as Los Blancos beat Real Zaragoza 7-2 in 1989.
“This is Real Madrid, the competition is greatest here and I know that I am Mbappe’s natural replacement,” said Garcia. “But the coach and all my teammates always give me the confidence to do my best.”
“In the end it’s only a few minutes, but because Mbappé is in front of me and he’s had a spectacular season with practically a goal per game.”
“He’s the best player in the world so I have to focus on myself and give my best in all training sessions. I have to give my best when these opportunities arise.”
“It’s a special afternoon, I’m very happy with the goals, but even happier with the team’s performance and the win.”
“It’s really quite difficult to decide [between the goals]. There are three specific goals, so it is impossible to choose one.”
5
Gonzalo Garcia will change at the latest
The striker’s outstanding performance couldn’t have come at a worse time for Premier League clubs wanting to sign him.
According to a report by Spanish magazine Fichajes Aston Villa have made a £26m bid to sign Garcia.
European football expert Andy Brassell told The Pitch Prospect.com: “Garcia, who has emerged at just the right time, is really confident.”
“That he steps up at a moment when the team desperately needs him, when they are overloaded by injuries, when they cannot win the league in the next week or two, but they can definitely drop out of the race in this little three-week period when Mbappe is out.”
“It’s a huge contribution for him. I can completely understand why Aston Villa would be interested in him.”
5
Aston Villa said the striker solution will not be Gonzalo Garcia
According to The Pitch Prospect, Villa are now showing interest in Osula.
Newcastle could be tempted to cash in on Osula, reports The Pitch Prospect’s Alex Crook, who is also on the radar of clubs in Germany.
Brassell added: “When you look at Villa trying to progress in all competitions, it’s clear that’s what they’re striving for.” [Marcus] Rashford or [Marco] Asensio believes they joined last January.
“But it won’t be Gonzalo Garcia. I find it really hard to imagine Real Madrid letting Gonzalo Garcia leave at all, let alone in this window.”
“He was already a very valued member of the team because of his success at the Club World Cup,” Brassell continued.
5
5
Disrupted Real Madrid’s pecking order
“They brought him in because of various injuries. He gave them a striker presence that they haven’t had since Joselu, who has easily forgotten that he played a big role, even if it was a fleeting one, in the team that won the Champions League in 2023/24.”
“Gonzalo Garcia has that presence, so he’s a good alternative for Real Madrid, but he also has that extra bit of class.”
“We saw that with the hat-trick against Betis. It is remarkable that because of the ease and confidence with which he scored that hat-trick, he scored his first LaLiga goals for Real Madrid and his first goals at the Bernabeu, as he scored four goals in the Club World Cup.”
“You think he’s an established first-team player now, don’t you? No, not really. But he’s shaken up the pecking order at Real Madrid.”
“That’s why they feel OK letting Endrick go to Lyon for the second half of the season. A completely different type of striker.”