Aston Villa have been linked with a series of big-name players ahead of the January transfer window.placeholder image
Aston Villa have been linked with a series of big-name players ahead of the January transfer window. | Getty Images
Aston Villa have received a host of intriguing transfer links as we edge closer to the January window
Aston Villa have utilised the January transfer market astutely under Unai Emery in recent years and will be hoping for more of the same this time around, as the Villans look to secure a Champions League place following a burst of strong form.
A difficult start quickly gave way to a series of outstanding victories, which have seen the Villans rise from the bottom three to the European places. The likes of Morgan Rogers and John McGinn have been instrumental as ever, but Ollie Watkins has struggled and seen Donyell Malen step up with some of the goal-scoring burden.
Emery’s side have been linked with a whole host of players across the continent as the January window approaches, with some potential moves holding weight while others appear speculative at best. We decided to have a look at some of Villa’s latest transfer rumours and assessed which could potentially become reality, and which are most likely not to.
Four players who Aston Villa could sign in January
This move is not necessarily highly likely, but it is certainly possible, for two reasons: firstly, due to Villa’s dire need of a top-quality striker to compete with Watkins, and secondly, because the player might decide to push for a move in order to secure a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad. Brazilian players notoriously face scrutiny in their home country when representing the Selecao while playing for a so-called ‘smaller club’ in England, and so a big move could help Thiago achieve his dream next year.
In addition, Villa are one of several Premier League clubs to have been linked with versatile Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza. These links have emerged on multiple occasions and so might have some weight to them, as Mingueza can be deployed from right-back or centre-back and would prove a very solid mid-season acquisition for the Villans, particularly for a cut-price fee with his contract set to expire in the summer.
Emery’s side have also been linked with 22-year-old rising defender Lautaro Rivero out of Argentina, with the River Plate talent touted for a big move and Villa reportedly preparing an £18m bid to get in front of Tottenham. While he would likely be one for the future, we can see the club pushing forward with this interest if they cannot land Mingueza.
Finally, this might be slightly out of the box – but a January return to England for Saudi Pro League star Ivan Toney could become a distinct possibility. Villa are one of several clubs who have been linked, and they could throw their hat in the ring if moves for other forward targets fall through.
Five players Villa will not be signing in January window
One player Aston Villa are highly unlikely to be signing this January is Endrick. The 19-year-old is set to be loaned out by Real Madrid, but reports linking him with Villa Park are likely to be wide of the mark, with Lyon said to be his most probable destination. By extension, Villa are unlikely to sign Gonzalo Garcia in the window, as Los Blancos may decide not to loan out both young strikers in one window.
Another player Villa will not be signing is Julian Brandt, after Sport Witness relayed reports by Bild in Germany which stated that Brandt wants to stay at Borussia Dortmund until at least the end of the season, as contract talks continue over a new deal.
Links between Takefusa Kubo and the Villans are likely to be wide of the mark, too, as Emery’s side have shown greater creative threat in recent weeks and stronger links have emerged between the Japanese and Tottenham.
Villa have also emerged as potential suitors for 17-year-old Anderlecht’s splendidly-named midfielder Nathan de Cat, alongside rivals such as Tottenham, Brighton and Bayern Munich. While the young Belgian has been earmarked for success in the future, the West Midlands outfit are likely to have bigger priorities at hand and a £30m package should prove too costly on top of any other mid-season purchases.
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