Frederic Guilbert could be on his way out of Aston Villa before the summer transfer window closes.

Football Insider says he’s closing in on a season-long loan to Racing Strasbourg – Dean Smith has given the ‘green light’ for Guilbert to make the switch.

The 26-year-old has been short of playing time under Smith and is behind Matty Cash in the pecking order, so he’ll have to leave to get regular first-team football.

Guilbert spent the second half of last season on loan at Strasbourg and made 14 appearances, so he’d be returning to a familiar place.

Guilbert joined Villa on a four-year deal from SM Caen in January 2019 and has since made 32 appearances in all competitions.

The uncapped Frenchman sought a temporary move away when he was struggling for playing time, and it appears history is repeating itself.

Guilbert was left out of the matchday squad in Villa’s 3-2 defeat to Watford and 2-0 win over Newcastle United, but he was an unused substitute in their 1-1 draw with Brentford.

The 26-year-old played 82 minutes in Villa’s Carabao Cup win over Barrow, but he won’t be content being used sparingly.

Summary

Cash is Villa’s first-choice right-back, while Ashley Young can deputise in case of injury, so Guilbert is the expendable one.

The out-of-favour defender wants out of Villa, and his club are willing to sanction his departure, so a return to France looks on the cards today.

Stats from Transfermarkt.

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