Trezeguet may leave Aston Villa on loan before the end of the transfer window, according to The Athletic's Gregg Evans.
The lowdown
The Egyptian joined Aston Villa ahead of the 2019/20 season in an £8.75m move from Kasimpasa. He has since made 64 appearances for the club, although he spent much of 2021 sidelined by a serious knee injury and has played just 10 top-flight minutes since recovering from that setback.
His current goal tally stands at nine, while he has also served up five assists during his time with the Midlands outfit. His £32.5k-per-week contract still has 18 months left to run.
Trezeguet is currently away with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and it's unclear if that will complicate any potential transfer. They are due to meet Ivory Coast for a round of 16 tie on Wednesday, just five days before the January deadline.
The latest
During The Athletic's matchday discussion on Saturday, Evans was asked whether time was 'up' for wingers Bertrand Traore or Trezeguet given Gerrard's preference for a narrow 4-3-2-1 formation.
The journalist replied: "Traore, I feel, will be back up now. Maybe an impact player? Trezeguet is going to struggle for minutes so he may go on loan."
The verdict
Where might Trezeguet end up?
It was reported earlier this month that Galatasaray were keen to take him back to the Turkish Super Lig and had initiated talks with Villa.
Steven Gerrard has already allowed Anwar El-Ghazi to leave this month, but in Philippe Coutinho, Emiliano Buendia, Leon Bailey and Bertrand Traore, he will have ample options in the wide attacking areas even if he lets Trezeguet go too.
Some Villa fans may be sad to see the 27-year-old go, because his commitment has never really been in doubt. For instance, his former manager Dean Smith described his 'running numbers' as 'incredible'; while former Villa defender Alan Hutton hailed his willingness to close people down, even if he did look like a 'headless chicken' at times.
At least a loan move could enable Trezeguet to reinvigorate his career while still maintaining ties with the club so that they aren't just barging him out the door unceremoniously.
In other news, lots of Villa fans flock to links with this Serie A maestro