Aston Villa have joined Liverpool in the race to sign FC Basel winger Valentin Stocker, according to reports from Switzerland.
While Basel will be reluctant to let one of their prize assets leave, it is thought that should the right offer come in from one of a number of chasing clubs in January then they will allow him to leave.
Stocker plays as an attacking midfielder who isn’t afraid to use his skills to run past players. It is this endeavour that has allowed him to score 20 goals since breaking into Basel’s first team in 2007, including six goals so far this season. His international debut came against Cyprus in 2008 and has since won seven caps for Switzerland, scoring three goals.
Despite being omitted from Switzerland’s World Cup squad, Stocker has impressed with Basel in this year’s Champions League and a host of teams including the Serie A trio of Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Udinese are thought to be tracking him.
With Liverpool and Villa both under-performing this year a successful January transfer window is essential for both clubs. Gerard Houllier has had to bring a lot of Villa academy players so far this season and will be looking forward to making his own mark on his new team, but he will have to go up against his former team in order to catch the talented Swiss player.
