Joshua Zirkzee during a Manchester United game
Joshua Zirkzee has been linked with a shock move to Aston Villa
Three players have emerged as potential transfer targets for Aston Villa as the Premier League enters mid-season - and Birmingham Live readers have been having their say on two potential Premier League targets and one young star in our comments section.
Unai Emery's team are looking to kick on from a strong start to the Premier League season despite recent performances, and continue their Champions League campaign. Attacking reinforcements could be on the cards according to some publications, though duo Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran are proven threats.
Arda Guler
Real Madrid's Arda Guler has been linked with a loan move away from the club, with top clubs interested in taking the young Turkish talent - including Aston Villa. According to the website CaughtOffside, Arsenal could provide competition for his signature.
Despite a strong showing at Euro 2024 for his country, he has not received the playing time that he would have hoped for in Madrid. Villa have a track record of taking young players in January and quickly making them Premier League ready. Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers were recruited by Villa in the last two January transfer windows respectively and quickly made a name for themselves at the club.
Reader MikeyVillain says: “Probably a much better option than Bailey right now - at least he gets the ball in the box instead of running it into blind alleys.”
Chosen in 1957 writes: “I think that loan deals will be the best way of bringing known talent into Villa Park. We've done it before with Ross Barkley and he was determined to return permanently to Villa Park from Luton.”
G81 thinks: “Guler would be interesting, though to be honest I'm not interested in loans unless there is genuine scope for it becoming permanent.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Premier League rivals Everton continue to face financial difficulty, which could make moves for their players easier over the next year or so. Publication ASRomaLive say that they could be forced to let one of their star men go in the upcoming January transfer window.
Villa, Newcastle United, and Italian side Juventus are said to be looking at Dominic Calvert-Lewin as an option. For Villa, he could be a "plan B" in place of Ollie Watkins - though he has only scored seven times in his last 40 games for the Toffees.
Commenter Devon Villain thinks that his record speaks for itself: “7 goals in 40 games...". Therealwaysbeanengland isn't convinced either: “Really? He’s had one good season and failed to replicate that form, like so many one season wonders.”
Chosen in 1957 says: “The last position we need to fill is at center forward. We have Jhon Duran waiting in the wings to eventually start up front with Ollie. He's got the potential to become our greatest asset in a season or two's time.
"There are no players at Everton who would be any better than what we've already got in our squad. Manchester City is another kettle of fish however, surely there's going to be major changes in January due to theirr current run of 5 defeats.”
Joshua Zirkzee
With Erik ten Hag leaving his post at Manchester United, the futures of some of his signings are in doubt. CaughtOffside say that new boss Ruben Amorim could show Joshua Zirkzee the door as soon as the January transfer window, whether on loan or permanently.
The 23 year-old Dutch player came to England for £35 million from Italian side Bologna, scoring one goal on the opening day. Serie A is said to be his preferred home, but should he want to continue in the Premier League, he could play behind a striker at Villa.
Fans think it's a non-starter. Birminghamisclaretandblue writes: “If he isn't good enough for them, he's definitely not suitable for us. If the Italians want him, let him go there.”
FreddieLochhead wants no part of it: “No rejects, thanks.” Exbrummie24 agrees: “Noooooooooooo!”
Have your say! Who - if anyone - should be targeted for the January transfer window? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.