Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish (Image: Getty Images)
It's likely to be another one of those summers for Aston Villa. Gone are the days when Villa were dwindling in the Championship and the quality of transfer target, or simply players linked with moves to the club, reflected their divisional status.
Nowadays, Villa are swimming in entirely different waters; aided by European competition - the specific of which is yet to be determined, but will be so on the final weekend of the season this Sunday - and with at least one Champions League campaign under their belts, the pedigree of players now being touted with moves to Villa has risen dramatically.
The Lions, under Unai Emery, have attracted some of the biggest names from around Europe in recent times, most recently the likes of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio on loan and, while they'll likely have to sell again this summer and toe the PSR line, it's still another substantial summer of incoming business anticipated.
The links haven't wait for the season to conclude before commencing. The transfer rumour mill is already in full swing. Who might Villa be in for? Bet365 have priced up a number of linked players' futures and their potential destinations.
Jack Grealish - Manchester City
“Grealish has struggled to find his form recently, and it would’ve been frustrating for him to watch a 19-year-old debutant being chosen ahead of him off the bench in the FA Cup final," Steve Freeth, Bet 365 spokesperson, said. “Pep Guardiola has also been talking about trimming his squad to avoid leaving five or six players ‘in the freezer’, which may hint at Jack’s potential departure from Manchester.
“Napoli, who have also been linked with Kevin de Bruyne, have been punted from 9/1 into 2/1 favourites to sign Grealish, while clubs like Nottingham Forest, Everton and Aston Villa have also seen their odds shorten.”
Odds on Villa signing Grealish: 8/1
Eberechi Eze - Crystal Palace
Villa have seen plenty of Eze close up this season. The Palace hero, who scored against both the Lions at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final and then in the final against Man City as the Eagles lifted the trophy, will inevitably have interest in him again this summer.
Still tipped to remain at Palace over leaving the club, the Selhurst Park side are the favourites to be his team come the 3rd of September - followed by the 'Big Six' and Newcastle in the market. Villa are the only other side you can currently back to sign Eze.
Odds on Villa signing Eze: 25/1
Harvey Elliott - Liverpool
The midfielder scored against Brighton on Monday and memorably netted the late winner in the club's last 16 meeting first leg at PSG in the Champions League, but he has struggled to play regularly under Arne Slot and has been tipped to leave Anfield.
Wolves are currently the favourites were Fulham academy product depart Liverpool this summer, while Bayer Leverkusen, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle are all just ahead of Villa in the market.
Odds on Villa signing Elliott: 10/1
Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City
The great Belgian said his goodbyes to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night after playing in City's final home game of the season. He racked up ten years with City and won countless pieces of silverware in that time. There were eyebrow-raising links with Villa and De Bruyne last month.
Italian side Napoli are the odds-on favourites to offer the midfielder a new challenge, while Bayern Munich and Liverpool are ahead of Villa in the betting, although links with the latter have been rubbished. The MLS and Saudi Pro League remain viable destinations, too.
Odds on Villa signing De Bruyne: 10/1
Marcus Rashford - Manchester United
The forward has enjoyed something of a resurgence at Villa. His time at Man United, certainly while Ruben Amorim is there, would appear over and Villa took advantage in January to hand him a chance to play regularly. Rashford made ten goal contributions and forced his way back into the England team.
That said, it's expected he's played his last game for the club. Injured, and ineligible to play this weekend anyway, Rashford is readying himself for the June internationals. Barcelona, the club he reportedly desires to switch to, are the favourites, but Villa are second favourites should he indeed leave Old Trafford for good.
Odds on Villa signing Rashford: 6/1
Jonathan David - Lille
The Canadian striker recently confirmed that he'll be leaving French side Lille at the end of his contract this summer, having run it down without agreeing fresh terms. Set for a new challenge, David isn't going to be short of suitors and reportedly has plenty of interest from England - in Villa - and Italy.
That's reflected in David's market currently - Napoli are the favourites, followed by Inter Milan and Juventus, while Villa's rivals and clubs in Spain are ahead of the Lions, who have Ollie Watkins but are targeting another centre forward this summer.
Odds on Villa signing David: 20/1
Striker hunt
Villa are also 25/1 to be Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap's new club.
They're 25/1 also to land young Slovenian hotshot Benjamin Sesko , who is expected to leave RB Leipzig this summer, with Arsenal also interested.
Villa are 40/1 to bring Viktor Gyokeres back to the Midlands; the Swede has been on fire with Sporting in Portugal for two years since moving from Coventry City, but appears set to return to England. Arsenal are the big favourites, while Amorim could reunite with him at Man United.
Hugo Ekitike is likely to leave Eintracht Frankfurt and has reportedly informed the Bundesliga side of his intention to try something new. The French under 21 international is 18/1 to join Villa.
Villa are also 20/1 to sign Ekitike's French under 21 international counterpart Rayan Cherki from Lyon in Ligue 1.
What is Villa's transfer priority in the summer window? Tell us HERE
The Aston Villa merchandise that every fan will want to own
Aston Villa 'Dream scene' canvas
Aston Villa fans can celebrate the end of the season and their love of all things claret and blue in style by getting their hands on some limited edition merchandise.
We've taken a look at a few products in the Villa store for those wishing to add a bit of class to their bedroom, homes or maybe a home bar?
These products are available for a limited time and have that wow factor that would be the envy of any supporter.
The first product we spotted is the wonderful Aston Villa 'dream scene' painting.
It depicts the greats of Villa past and present with the likes of Unai Emery sharing a conversation with Ron Saunders, and Peter Withe sharing a joke with Gareth Barry.
The brilliant dressing room scene is available on a 130 x 43cm canvas and comes with a souvenir booklet. There were only 150 of these made to commemorate Villa's 150 year anniversary.
You can buy it here
If you want a cheaper alternative, you could try the 90 x 60cm lithos print of the same scene, again with the booklet and a limited edition piece.
You can buy that here
If you fancy a bit of fun and owning your very own Villa Park, you can with this construction model replica of the stadium.
Complete with club branding, this is fun to assemble and will be the perfect addition to your household or workplace.
You can buy it here
Maybe you'd like to construct a replica of the Villa players and staff bus that they travel to away games in? You can now purchase that from the club shop, by clicking here