The latest Aston Villa transfer gossip as Villa are linked with several players
Lloyd Kelly of Juventus
Lloyd Kelly of Juventus(Image: Getty Images)
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The transfer window has been open for a fortnight and the news around Aston Villa seems to be rather more heat than light as the club bides its time in reinforcing Unai Emery’s squad.
While much speculation seems to be centred around outgoings, namely the daily rumours around Morgan Rogers and Emi Martinez, Villa will of course need to strengthen ahead of the Champions League campaign.
Inevitably Villa have been linked with players in virtually every position, a successor to Martinez here, a challenger to Matty Cash there, to go with sundry attackers capable of making Villa even more of a goal threat.
Here’s a round-up of the leading rumours doing the rounds.
Midfielder linked
The transfer taking Dion Lopy from Almeria to Aston Villa is a ‘done deal’.
That’s according to Spanish outlet Cadena Ser who claim failure to win promotion to La Liga will see Almeria, who are co-owned by Cristiano Ronaldo, will force the sale of the defensive midfielder.
The 24-year-old has been with Almeria since signing a six-year deal after leaving Reims in 2023. He had one year in La Liga and has spent the last two in the Spanish second tier.
He has made 105 appearances for the Andalusians, including 27 league matches last season as they finished third but missed out on promotion in the play-offs.
He also has five Senegal caps to his name and Villa are said to be ‘leading the race’ after tabling a €15 million offer. The report adds Almeria accept his exit is ‘inevitable’.
Homeward bound
Former Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly is one of Villa’s ‘main targets’, according to Tutto Juve.
The website reckons Kelly is ‘being monitored’ by Villa who could open negotiations to bring the central defender back to the Premier League in the coming weeks.
The 27-year-old came through at Bristol City before joining the Cherries for a reported £13million in 2019. He spent five seasons at the Vitality Stadium but left for Newcastle on a free transfer after 141 games.
The former England Under-21 spent just seven months at St James’ Park before being loand – and then sold – to Juve in February 2025.
Kelly played 46 times for Juve in both Serie A and the Champions League and has a contract until the summer of 2029. The report says the Turin outfit value him at €35m and that the situation is not at an advanced stage.
Turkiye link
Turkish website Fanatik claim Trabzonspor have ‘set their sights’ on Villa youngster Alysson Edward.
The winger, who joined Villa from Gremio in January but has not yet made much of an impact due to injury.
Indeed the 20-year-old managed just three appearances off the bench and has not featured in a match-day squad since March.
The report says Trabzonspor will look at his medical situation ‘in detail’ and that the Brazilian is one of several options the Turkish team are looking at for their right wing berth. Fanatik claim Alysson’s future will depend on Villa’s decision.
Old friend
Former Villa loan player Clement Lenglet is set to leave Atletico Madrid to sign for Benfica.
Fabrizio Romano says the transfer that will take the centre back from to Portugal has been agreed ‘between all parties’.
It is claimed Lenglet will sign a contract until 2029 and team up with former Fulham boss Marco Silva.
Lenglet joined Villa on loan in the 2023/24 season, having spent time with Tottenham the previous campaign and then Atletico the following.
He signed for the Madrid outfit last summer but is on the move once again. Lenglet played 25 times for Villa.
John Townley
John Townley
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