The latest Aston Villa news as contracts are put on the table for three important stars.
Aston Villa are reportedly set to offer two first-team players new contracts and are continuing talks with a third.
The Villans know they must make at least one significant sale before June 30 to conform to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), but there are several players the club see as untouchable.
As such, the plan, as per The Telegraph, is to offer new contracts to Youri Tielemans and Tryone Mings, while negotiations are currently ongoing with Boubacar Kamara. There are others Unai Emery wouldn’t sacrifice for PSR reasons but Tielemans, Mings and Kamara have more pressing situations that need addressing.
Tielemans, recently named the players’ player of the season and the supporters’ player of the season, has two years left on his current terms but Villa believe he deserves an improved salary to reflect his performances. It’s not necessarily pivotal that the club get Tielemans tied down this summer, but it takes the pressure off this time next year — and it keeps one of the most important players content.
In the case of Mings, his current deal is set to expire in 12 months and Villa are keen to hold onto him for a while longer yet. The 32-year-old has been a superb rotational option for Pau Torres at left centre-back and he covered for Pau when the Spaniard was out with a broken metatarsal.
Mings thought at one stage that he wouldn’t be able to return to professional football - at least at Premier League level - after sustaining a devastating knee injury. The former England international worked incredibly hard to get back to fitness, however, and his perseverance has paid off as Emery has trusted him with regular starts in recent months.
Kamara, meanwhile, is seen as one of Villa’s star players and Emery wants him to be recognised as such. The France international is reportedly a transfer target for Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Inter Milan, so Villa are eager to shrug off the interest and retain their man.
Just like Tielemans, Kamara has two years left on his deal and it’s not a must to get him signed on this summer. It would be brilliant to get him committed to the project sooner rather than later, however, especially as he fits into Emery’s midfield double pivot so perfectly alongside Tielemans.
Despite the want and need for a few new additions, it’s arguably more important for Villa to keep hold of as much of their best current crop as physically possible. As mentioned, a big sale may be required to meet PSR requirements, but reducing the impact on the current group will be the priority.
Emiliano Martinez, despite his clear importance, could be the best player to sacrifice. The World Cup champion and two-time Yashin Trophy winner is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League but his form this season has dwindled, and Villa could sign a replacement who is 10 years his junior.
Joan Garcia, one of the most impressive shot-stoppers in La Liga this season, is an up-and-coming Spaniard with huge potential. The 23-year-old is available for a £20 million release clause from Espnayol this summer and Villa are expected to try their best to sign him. Martinez could be sold for much more than that to help ease the PSR concerns.
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