Villa Park, the home of Aston Villa
Villa Park, the home of Aston Villa (Image: Getty Images)
The January transfer window is almost upon us - and with it brings the prospect of an interesting month ahead for Aston Villa. There is football to come first, of course, in the form of meetings with Manchester City, Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion over the course of the festive period, but behind the scenes Villa are weighing up what they might be able to do in the winter window.
Villa could be active. President of football operations Monchi recently confirmed that the club would be alive to all possibilities, provided they don't put themselves at risk of breaching PSR, yet there are deals potentially to be done - both in and out. Villa have a host of loan players out and about who are currently experiencing different fortunes and some might need their immediate futures resolving.
Here we take a look at the very latest chatter.
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Duran admirers
Napoli are said to be “crazy” about Aston Villa ’s Jhon Duran amid suggestions the striker’s agent has held secret talks with the Italian club.
The 21-year-old Colombian only signed a new deal to keep him at Villa until 2030 two months ago, but it has not stopped speculation over his future. Napoli are the latest side to be linked with the youngster, who has ripped it up in the Premier League and Champions League so far this season, scoring 11 goals in 24 matches.
Swap proposal
AC Milan could propose a swap deal with Aston Villa in the January transfer window, reports in Italy suggest - and that could potentially involve Unai Emery being reunited with one of his former Villarreal players.
Milan have a number of wing options available to boss Paulo Fonseca, namely Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, with understudies Samuel Chukwueze and Noah Okafor just behind those first choice options. The pair joined Milan from Villarreal and RB Salzburg in the summer of 2023 but their futures are already under the spotlight.
Swiss international Okafor has only scored once in 16 appearances so far this season, while Nigerian international Chukwueze - who Emery worked with at Villarreal - has three goals in 20 outings. Either player could leave in the January transfer window, but Milan are eager to ensure they remain well covered on the flanks and are looking at potential new recruits.
Emi wanted
Chelsea have been tipped to potentially sign Aston Villa favourite Emiliano Martínez after the Argentinian won FIFA's The Best Men's Goalkeeper 2024 award this week.
Martínez made history by becoming the first person to win the award twice since its inception back in 2016, winning it first in 2022 after Argentina's World Cup triumph. This year, the 32-year-old helped his club to UEFA Champions League qualification and won a second Copa América title with his country, while producing many highlights from his performances, like the mind-boggling save he pulled off against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
High flier
Aston Villa are reportedly keeping watch of one of the Serie A players of the season so far as Atalanta sit top of the Italian league.
Belgian playmaker Charles De Ketelaere has been one of the league leaders' best performers this season, putting up impressive numbers both domestically and in the UEFA Champions League. The 23-year-old has bagged eight goals and nine assists in all competitions as he revives his early career after a disappointing couple of years at AC Milan.
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