Marvelous Nakamba is expected to remain at Aston Villa despite reports linking him with a potential move to Spanish giants Valencia during the current transfer window.
Spanish media on Thursday reported that Valencia were keen on signing the 27-year-old Zimbabwean international after they failed to lure Arsenal’s Lucas Torreira who is on loan at Atletico Madrid.
However, Nakamba is set to snub a move to Spain while his club are not open to either selling or loaning him out.
The Hwange born player has struggled to hold down a regular starting berth at the Birmingham-based club as coach Dean Smith prefers a midfield partnership of Douglas Luiz and John McGinn.
Nakamba started Villa’s 2-0 win over Newcastle at the weekend ahead of the suspended McGinn and received praise from Smith. Smith said of Nakamba’s performance:
Marvelous came in against Newcastle and was excellent, and that’s important. When you have good structure and organisation, players can come in and they know their roles.
However, the former Bantu Rover midfielder found himself on the bench again as McGinn returned to the starting line-up for Villa’s 3-2 loss to Burnley on Wednesday.