Tete is a favourite with Leicester fans and has a team of helpers to keep him in peak condition

Unai Emery could hardly have been more explicit. Asked on January 6 about his aims for the transfer window, the Aston Villa boss replied: ‘We need a winger, a specific winger. We need it and we are trying to find one.’

Emery’s top target was Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, who rejected the move even though Villa were ready to trigger his £50million release clause. 

Emery opted not to chase Arnaut Danjuma, even though the attacker had shone under him at Villarreal, and in the end Villa brought back Bertrand Traore from his loan spell in Turkey.

Yet as he watched Leicester debutant Tete dance across Villa Park in a thrilling display of old-fashioned wing play, Emery must have wondered whether the answer had been right under his nose. 

It is thought Villa never pursued the Brazilian because Emery was looking for a more physically imposing player — Williams is just below 6ft while Tete is 5ft 8in — and favoured a permanent signing.

Emery watched Tete in action as his Aston Villa side lost 4-2 to Leicester City on Saturday

Shakhtar Donetsk’s Tete is guaranteed to stay at Leicester only until the end of the season.

Tete is already a favourite with Leicester fans, who will look to the 22-year-old to inspire them through a fearsome run of fixtures: Spurs at home on Saturday, followed by a trip to Manchester United and a home meeting with leaders Arsenal.

Tete has an entourage, who he personally funds, to ensure he is in peak condition. The group have travelled with him to the East Midlands and Tete has impressed manager Brendan Rodgers with his dedication. 

‘He’s got nutritionists and people around him who help him prepare,’ said Rodgers. 

‘He has strength coaches and others who live with him. They’re part of his team to make him the best he can be. For a kid, that’s really impressive.

‘As a footballer, I know you’re at a club, but you’re self-employed. In that sense they’re no different to a plumber, a…