A lot of players have been linked with Aston Villa since the last transfer window
With Champions League football in the bag and the club’s ambitions to progress very much made clear – this summer will be a big transfer window for Aston Villa.
Unai Emery and Monchi will have their vision for the club, the board will have the complexities of FFP to balance, and there will be an endless list of names linked.
In fact, there have been a fair few already ahead of what promises to be an intriguing and fascinating summer for all at B6.
We take a look at some of the candidates so far…
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Jack Grealish
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Michael Owen says he would be shocked if Jack Grealish were to leave Manchester City this summer, but it were to happen then Aston Villa are his ‘obvious choice’.Villa have been spring-boarded to success on the back of Unai Emery’s appointment as manager in October 2022, having just qualified for next season’s Champions League. However, the current era has also been built on foundations laid when boyhood Villan Grealish departed for Pep Guardiola’s side three years ago. The 28-year-old’s £100m sale resulted in major profits that financial year, which have been smartly reinvested into the squad. On the other side of the bargain City have clearly benefitted as they are on the cusp of a fourth Premier League title in succession, they also won the Champions League last year and Grealish has played an integral role throughout.
Owen was speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest EURO 2024 odds , as he began to honestly explain: “Grealish is a great player and he could fit into most teams, I love Jack and I think he’s a great lad too, a great ambassador for football. So I don’t want to say anything negative, but I must admit when he signed for City I didn’t really think he was the right fit for them.
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Alex Baena
Villarreal president Fernando Roig insists he is planning for a future with Alex Baena at the club despite interest from several teams including Aston Villa ahead of the summer window.The 22-year-old committed his future to the Yellows by penning a deal until 2028 in January 2023, which removed the €25million release clause included in his previous contract. Baena’s new buy-out price is said to be €60million, but Villa would want to negotiate a cheaper fee if their interest materialises. He has produced more assists (13) than any other player in La Liga this season and has created over two chances per 90. His form has drawn admirers, but Roig believes Villarreal is the best place for him to continue developing.
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Carlos Soler
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A move to Aston Villa would revitalise Carlos Soler’s career after a difficult couple of years at Paris Saint-Germain. Reports in France claim he was even jeered by fans last weekend as he played what was likely to be his final game at the Parc des Princes.The midfielder then came on for a six minute cameo against Nice on Tuesday night, one of the 10 occasions he was afforded less than 15 minutes at the end of a Ligue 1 match this season. Soler won the French league title with PSG for a second consecutive time this term, but after playing a peripheral role in their triumph – featuring for less than 1,000 minutes across the league campaign – he is set to depart this summer. And it seems that a move to Villa is on the cards.
Villa are reported to be among a number of teams vying to sign Soler, who needs to leave PSG to rediscover his form. He arrived in Paris two years ago from Valencia after the Spanish club had to sell him to raise money.
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Emile Smith Rowe
File under one time Aston Villa transfer target Emile Smith Rowe, rather than current target, but he is a player that could attract a lot of interest. He is one of seven senior players who Arsenal could seek to move on this summer transfer window, according to reports. Arsenal, still in the running to win the Premier League in this, the final week of the season, could be set for a clear-out once the season concludes as Mikel Areta plans reinforcements.Smith Rowe, who is 24 this summer, has made just 18 appearances this season in all competitions and that includes just three Premier League starts, behind the likes of regulars Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz. He has two years remaining on his contract but the Mirror report that he could be included in a squad overhaul at the Emirates Stadium this summer. Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, striker Eddie Nketiah, defender Kieran Tierney, Nuno Tavares, Luton Town loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga and attacker Reiss Nelson have also been mentioned alongside Smith Rowe as a group of players who could make way in order to create room and help to raise funds in order for Arteta to reinvest. The club have already given Jorginho a new contract.
Villa were keen on Smith Rowe during the days of Dean Smith. Prior to him signing a new long term contract – and being handed the Gunners’ number ten shirt – the Lions attempted to prise Smith Rowe from their Premier League rivals.
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Gabri Veiga
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Aston Villa have reportedly made a verbal proposal to Al-Ahli midfielder Gabri Veiga regarding a summer transfer.Last August, Veiga’s move from Celta Vigo to the Saudi Pro League puzzled the footballing world. Everyone had grown accustomed to the elders of the European game moving to the Gulf state to close out their careers, but when a 21-year-old regarded as one of the most exciting prospects moved out there, genuine questions began to be asked. He has since endured a tough campaign, playing just 16 league matches with just four goals to his name, though Veiga insists he made the correct choice. “The truth is that I leave all that in the hands of my representatives. I have full confidence in them,” he told AS. “I can tell you that in August I was faced with a situation and I took the decision I thought was the right one. I’m 100 percent sure that it was the right one.”
Coming off the back of a breakout 2022/23 La Liga campaign that saw him score 11 goals and grab four assists, it was reported the Spaniard was a top transfer target for Premier League clubs such as Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Now in case Veiga has had a change of heart, Alkass TV Sports claim that Unai Emery is willing to give his countryman a new route into English football with Villa. They say that contact has been made with the player’s side in an attempt to kickstart negotiations.
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Denzel Dumfries
Aston Villa have once again been linked with Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries ahead of the opening of the summer transfer window. Villa have an intriguing summer ahead now they have booked their place in next season’s Champions League..Dumfries, 28, is a Dutch international who has contributed to nine goals from right-back in 34 appearances for Inter this term, as they won the league at a canter. They’ve lost only two matches in Serie A this season, with two matches left to play, and Dumfries has been a regular fixture in the side. He has a single year remaining on his contract at the San Siro and reports in Italy this week claim that Dumfries could leave this summer in order to raise funds for the club to reinvest in recruitment, so that they can address other areas of their squad which they’re looking to improve. Manchester United are also reportedly interested in Dumfries.
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Bradley Locko
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Aston Villa are believed to be on high alert as Brest full-back Bradley Locko will supposedly be available for transfer this summer, but face Premier League competition for the signing.With Villa securing Champions League football for next season, Unai Emery will need to make appropriate additions to his squad to keep competition for places high and contend with the increased intensity on multiple fronts. One area that has been suggested for improvement is at full-back. Last week it was Atletico Madrid’s Reinildo linked with a cut-price summer move, and now it is highly-promising Locko of Ligue 1 outfit Brest in what is said would be a £25m deal for a player currently on £8k-per-week wages.
