Aston Villa are now monitoring three midfield targets after being dealt a huge Amadou Onana injury blow during the World Cup. Clubs are constantly in fear of players picking up injury blows during international periods, and especially during tournament football, when the demands on players are huge.due to the confined nature of fixtures.
In Villa's case, their worst fears have become a reality, with key midfielder Onana having suffered an ACL rupture that will now keep him out until some time in 2027, likely until the spring.
That injury blow has forced a change of plans for Unai Emery and his recruitment staff, who are now going to have to snap up a holding midfielder to ensure they are properly equipped for another Premier League and Champions League campaign.
Aston Villa now focusing on three midfield targets
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery looks on
Villa are now pushing to sign a holding midfielder, and TeamTalk report they have three key targets on their shortlist as things stand. Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, Villarreal’s Pape Gueye and Parma's Mandela Keita are said to be the main men in the hunt to replace Onana - for now - at Villa Park.
Camara has been impressing for Monaco and in the Senegal national team, and he has the second part of that in common with another man on this list in Gueye. The 22-year-old is expected to go for big money in the not too distant future, and he also has that in common with Gueye.
Gueye, who has also been linked with Everton, was vital to Villarreal's third-place finish last season, and with the Yellow Submarine likely to cash in one player to keep the finances ticking over this summer, Gueye is expected to be the man to depart, carrying a release clause of 45million euros. Gueye was also one of the best players for Senegal in their AFCON title, although that title is currently in dispute.
Last but not least, Keita, who is of interest to Leeds United, is likely the cheapest option of the third, working his way up the ranks at Parma. The 24-year-old also won a Belgium cap for his impressive form last season, Keita will likely be available for £25-30million this summer.
Villarreal likely have to cash in on Gueye
villarreal
Villarreal may have achieved their first-ever back-to-back Champions League qualification, but it still looks as though they will make one significant sale this summer, which could well be Gueye.
The club's owner, Fernando Roig, said this summer: "At a certain point, we decided to take a risk and operate at a financial level that wasn't really within our means. We did it because we believed there was an opportunity to qualify again for top-level European competition, and we've achieved that.
"However, we can't maintain that level of spending and financial commitment every year. We need to balance the books for the 2026–27 season, and if we're playing in the Champions League, we'll likely have to make a sale."
Unai Emery has a strong relationship with Villarreal having left the club a hero, but while he may get some preference, the Yellow Submarine will likely demand Gueye's full release clause to sell.
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