The squad became yet a little thinner as the transfer window neared its end as Bertrand Traore’s time at Villa Park drew to a close.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Burkina Faso international, who did contribute a limited number of memorable moments in Claret & Blue, departs for Villarreal in Spain. The player and club have agreed the mutual termination of Traore’s contract, enabling the forward to link up with Villa boss Unai Emery’s former employer.
Therefore, the 28-year-old leaves immediately on a free transfer for the remainder of the 2023/2024 campaign in La Liga. In truth, it’s difficult to see it as any great loss.
The former Chelsea and Lyon player has become something of a forgotten man, with indifferent form and injury stalling a period of a career that should be coming to its peak. Whilst affectionately known as ‘Bertie’ and with something of a cult following amongst supporters, his occasional eye-catching goals and moments of unpredictable flair were ultimately too few and far between.
Perhaps the termination of the contract is the best part of the deal for Villa, with this action removing Traore’s wages of somewhere between £3m-£4m per year from the balance sheet.
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