Unai Emery
Unai Emery
Aston Villa are close to reaching an agreement to sign Jake Doughty from Everton, as The Athletic provide the details
It's been a huge summer transfer window in terms of young players moving between the academies, certainly more than in any usual summer.
Clubs are looking at opportunities to bring in talents for the future without paying astronomical fees, hoping they develop into something special.
Aston Villa and Everton have done business before in terms of young academy products, with Lewis Dobbin and Tim Iroegbunam moving between the two clubs.
It was a deal that was financially beneficial to both sides, and it remains to be seen whether this Doughty deal is of the same ilk.
Unai Emery
Unai Emery
According to a report from The Athletic, Aston Villa are close to an agreement to sign Doughty from Everton, with the Midlands club completing the final steps to sign the 16-year-old.
||
Jake Doughty Stats
Team
Everton U18
England U16
Doughty has featured at England youth level up to the under-16s, while he's also been involved with Everton's under-18 side last season.
Villa have been searching for a new academy winger after Heaven Kilwa rejected a contract and has now left the club.
It's been a summer of many departures for Villa, with the likes of Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Morgan Rogers heading for the exit door.
The potential signing of Doughty certainly won't be replacing any of those, and it's more of a player for the long-term future.
Villa need new additions fast
Ezri Konsa in action for Aston Villa
Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Aston Villa need to get a move on when it comes to new additions in the summer transfer window.
The latest exit was confirmed on Friday afternoon, with Ezri Konsa making the move to Premier League champions Arsenal.
Villa then made an £18 million bid to sign Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis in a deal which totalled £20 million, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.
There's been a huge turnover of players at Villa, and that appears to be continuing. They need to get a move on when it comes to bringing in reinforcements.
The Midlands club did get some deals done earlier in the window, but there's no doubt they need more after qualifying for the Champions League.