The Premier League Panel Which teams will get better or worse next season
Aston Villa and Manchester City both have the chance to do some transfer business in the January window
Aston Villa have seen an upturn in form in the Premier League following their slow start to the new season. Unai Emery’s side won 2-1 away at Totteham Hotspur in their last league outing after goals by Morgan Rogers and Emi Buendia. They have risen up to 11th place and face Manchester City at home this weekend as they look to keep their momentum going.
As for their upcoming opponents, Pep Guardiola’s side find themselves in 2nd place in the table behind Arsenal and above Liverpool. Striker Erling Haaland has been in fine form for the North West outfit so far in this campaign. He has scored 15 goals in 11 games in all competitions and is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Aston Villa linked with Mateo Kovacic at Manchester City
According to CaughtOffside, City midfielder Mateo Kovacic has emerged as a ‘target’ for Aston Villa ahead of the January transfer window. However, they aren’t the only team in the frame for his signature and would need to see off competition from elsewhere this winter if they were to land him. Fellow English side West Ham have also been mentioned as a potential suitor, as have AC Milan in Serie A.
Kovacic, 31, is under contract at the Etihad Stadium until June 2027 so his current club are under no pressure to sell him just yet and can afford to wait for the right offer to come in for his services. He currently provides them with more competition and depth in the middle of the park. However, he faces a battle to get into their starting XI ahead of Guardiola’s plethora of different options.
Therefore, an escape to Aston Villa may suit the Croatia international, who has made 111 caps for his country. He would be guaranteed regular minutes at Villa Park and would instantly become one of Emery’s main men. In addition, he would inject valuable experience into their ranks and would still play in Europe.
Kovacic moved to England back in 2018 on an initial loan deal to Chelsea before his switch to Stamford Bridge was later made permanent. He spent four years in London and was an important asset for the Blues. City then lured him up north and he has since made 90 appearances in all competitions, scoring 10 goals.
Manchester City should try for Aston Villa swap deal in January
City should try and get a player in return from Aston Villa as part of a swap deal if they attempt to snap up Kovacic. With that in mind, Ezri Konsa would be ideal. He has caught the eye both domestically and with the England national team recently.
At the age of 27, now is the time for him to test himself at a higher level. Guardiola’s men play in the Champions League and the player should be playing in that competition based on his current form instead of the Europa League. Villa won’t want to sell him but there is an air of inevitability that interest will start to mount from elsewhere if he continues performing.
Konsa, who is from London, was snapped up by the Midlands club back in 2019 and hasn’t looked back since. He is one of the first names on their team sheet. The Newham-born man can also play at right-back as well as centre-back so his versatility comes in very handy.
He rose up through the academy ranks at Charlton Athletic and was a regular for the Addicks at various different youth levels. He broke into their first-team as a teenager before Brentford signed him in 2018. Aston Villa then came calling for just £12million and he has been a good servant to them since.
Konsa would be a shrewd addition for City as he is in his prime and knows the league well already. If he joined, he would boost Guardiola’s defensive department and compete for a starting position. They are hoping to pip Arsenal and Liverpool to the title this term after falling way short last time around and must be shrewd with their future recruitment.
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