Aston Villa Near Transfer Miss Would Have Been Perfect Monchi Parting Gift

Monchi left Aston Villa this summer following what was described as a difficult summer transfer window.

The former President of Football Operations at Villa Park moved on from his post late last month in what was considered at the time a bit of a shock decision.

Villa were not the busiest club in the market before the end of the window back at the beginning of September with just big money spent on one player, £25million striker Evann Guessand, from Nice.

Other arrivals were on loan deals including for Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho and Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott.

But Spaniard Monchi’s legacy as recruitment chief has been questioned from his time under Unai Emery at the Premier League outfit.

He remains involved at Villa on a consultancy basis with Roberto Olabe taking the full time role to work with the manager and staff on a day to day basis.

Aston Villa wanted Yeremay Hernandez from Deportivo La Coruna

And now, speaking to Spanish media, Monchi revealed there was one player he and the club hoped to convince to move to join their squad in the summer before being told it would be a no go.

According to the talent spotter, Deportivo La Coruna left-winger Yeremay Hernandez was on the shortlist at Villa as they hoped to bolster their ranks with the Spanish playmaker.

But he explained why the deal could not be done.

“They said he wasn’t going to leave because he didn’t want to, and neither did the owners,” Monchi said when asked about Hernandez.

“They were very clear that they weren’t going to sell. They want him to be the flagship of Dépor in the Primera. If they can keep him and the kid wants to, great.”

Why Yeremay Hernandez snubbed Aston Villa transfer

Deportivo are in the Spanish second division but the player’s desire to stick around at 22-years-old could be a sign of his desire to pay back the club who gave him a shot.

It could also, however, possibly mean he knew back then he was not yet ready to make the move to one of the world’s most difficult and competitive leagues at that stage of his career.

Since the transfer fell through, Hernandez has played eight matches for La Coruna and scored three times.

At such a young age, Hernandez still has a lot of time to make an impact and become experienced enough to make the switch to a bigger league.

The likes of Arsenal, Bournemouth, Brentford, Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest were all reportedly tracking the talent.