Unai Emery gives Aston Villa transfer update and explains reason behind signing £6m talent
Unai Emery was impressed by Andres Garcia's rapid progression in Spain after tracking his development from afar before signing him for Aston Villa in a deal worth £6m from Levante earlier this week.
The right-back arrives at Villa as an unknown quantity for many, but Emery was aware of his talent before this season when he emerged on the radar of the likes of Sporting and Real Betis. At 21 years of age, Emery is excited to nurture Garcia's talent in the coming years.
"He is a right full-back, potential, young player," Emery explained. "He was progressing so quick, and I knew him before. I know how he was doing, as a person as well.
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"We decided to sign him because we were thinking it was a good opportunity, just in this moment, a really good opportunity, how he is progressing so quick in his career. And of course, being a potential young player, we are not in a hurry with him.
"Hopefully, with Andres Garcia, we can progress quick in his adaptation, and how he can understand everything in the Premier League about the level we have."
Asked about further business in the transfer window, Emery said: "We are open to trying to improve the squad until the last moment, and as well, we are open in case someone is leaving.
"Of course, Diego Carlos left in the last week, and we have to replace him, and of course we are as well focusing on which players could be potential players to replace Diego Carlos."
Villa's first signing of the winter window was Donyell Malen, who joined from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £20m. Like Garcia, Malen could also make his debut this Sunday against West Ham.
