The sensational Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest swap deal that could leave Newcastle United in the dust.
The shackles are off at Aston Villa following the news that Unai Emery’s side have put their PSR worries to bed for another year.
The Villans were on track to breach the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) but agreed to the sale of their women’s team, balancing the books just in the nick of time. Spending willy-nilly still isn’t possible as Villa must reduce their wage bill to try and sort separate issues with UEFA’s squad cost rules (SCR), but incoming business is certainly more likely now than it was just a week or so ago.
With this in mind, Emery has several areas of the squad he wants to improve ahead of the 2025/26 season. Another versatile forward is desired, a new central defender is a necessity, a goalkeeper will need to be signed if Emiliano Martinez leaves, and talks have been held over bringing in Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Asensio permanently.
Aston Villa should hijack £55m Newcastle deal to address transfer need
There’s another position that needs strengthening more urgently than any other, however, with Emery prioritising signing a new left winger above all else. The decision was made not to activate the option to buy Marcus Rashford for £40 million, and Jesus Rodriguez, targeted as an alternative to the Manchester United man, has completed a move to Como.
Villa are being patient in their approach but could suddenly up the ante in this transfer window by turning their attention towards a different option altogether. Now, he’s yet to be formally linked with a move to Villa Park, but Birmingham World believes there may not be anyone better suited to what Emery wants than Nottingham Forest star Anthony Elanga.
Reportedly in advanced talks to sign for Newcastle United in a potential £55 million deal, Elanga is a man in hot demand. The Sweden international has exceeded all expectations since joining from Manchester United and has been worth every penny - and more - of his £15 million transfer fee. His future is yet to be sealed, though, with time still remaining to perform a dramatic hijack.
Elanga exactly what Villa want and need - Leon Bailey could be sacrificed
Emery is determined to land a new, direct winger who plays predominantly on the left, though the head coach highly values versatility. As Elanga is quick, powerful in possession and can play on either side, he certainly fits the bill.
Now, £55 million would be a lot of money for Villa to stump up and especially so given their recent financial insecurities, but there could be a clever workaround. Leon Bailey, heavily linked with a move away from Villa Park, could be used as a makeweight in a potential deal, with cash offered in addition to the Jamaica international’s services.
Bailey is yet to be linked with Forest but could be a ready-made replacement for Elanga. The 27-year-old really struggled to find any real confidence last season but he was absolutely superb during the campaign before that, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists in 36 Premier League appearances. Those tallies are very similar to the six goals and 11 assists Elanga managed throughout 2024/25.
Due to differing form and a contrasting in age, there’s a big gulf in valuations between the two players. That’s where the cash element of the deal could come in, though, with Villa perhaps able to offer £30 million plus Bailey. Much more financially viable for the Villans and providing an instant problem-solver for Forest, this deal could work out really nicely for all parties.
You may be thinking to yourself, what in the FIFA Career Mode is all of this about? And you’d be completely justified in that. But it’s a solution we believe Villa should at least be considering, otherwise they could fall further behind their black and white rivals in the race to return to the Champions League.
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