Author: Brussels, Sunday
AfricaPress-Tanzania: CLUB Brugge manager Philippe Clement has ruled out a move for Aston Villa striker Mbwana Samatta.
Samatta, 27, scored twice in 16 appearances for Villa following his move from Belgian Pro League side Genk in January.
The striker joined Fenerbahce on an initial loan deal in September after Villa’s club-record deal for Ollie Watkins and the Turkish side have an option to make his stay permanent at the end of the season.
There have been rumours in Belgium and Turkey that Samatta could return to the country in January to link up with Clement, who was his manager at Genk between 2017 and 2019.
But the Brugge boss says the Tanzania international is not seen a target ahead of the upcoming window.
Clement told Voetbal24: “We often talk about players for certain positions – but Samatta’s name has not been mentioned. Ally is also not the player that we talked about.”
It is the second time Clement has distanced himself moved from the reports linking Samatta with the club, having also done so in November.
The forward previously enjoyed an impressive spell at Genk, scoring 43 goals in 101 league matches leading to Villa paying £8.5million for his services midway through last season after the injury to Wesley Moraes.
He marked his Premier League debut with a goal in a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth in February before scoring against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, which also ended in a 2-1 loss.
Samatta has scored two goals in seven appearances for Fenerbahce, who are third in the Super Lig behind leaders Alanyaspor and fierce rivals Galatasaray.
