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Football transfers are a game within a game and have reached a stage where there can be more interest in a deal for a prospective signing edging closer than a match taking place that same day. The January transfer window offers a backstop to a club’s season, on hand to address issues or bolster a charge up the table. Advertisement Aston Villa are in uncharted territory, likely to progress into the Champions League knockout stages after a calendar year in which they played an unprecedented number of games (54).
They want to strengthen and intend to do so. The Athletic takes you through what to expect from Villa’s winter window..
. What positions will Villa be looking at in January? At the end of the summer window, there was an internal acceptance Villa were short in some positions. They tried to recruit a right-back until the last 24 hours of the window when it became clear they could not agree deals for their key targets, largely owing to profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
Discussions were held with the representatives of Feyenoord’s Lutsharel Geertruida, who ended up moving to RB Leipzig . Unai Emery only wants players he regards as providing an immediate upgrade. Longer-term acquisitions — such as Kosta Nedeljkovic , signed last January — are club purchases led by president Monchi and are instead put into the “project player” bracket.
Right-back remains the main position Villa are looking at, with Matty Cash the only senior option . Villa are open to signing a multi-faceted forward, having been short of an option across the front line since Moussa Diaby’s departure, and are assessing players who can operate across several positions given the struggles and form of some of the attacking players this season. Any moves will be dependent on the conditions of the deal and if they remain within the club’s financial parameters.
What is their PSR position? Internally, PSR remains the leading concern in January. Ordinarily, Villa would spend in most transfer windows, with co-owner Nassef Sawiris publicly expressing his disapproval of PSR limitations. In October, minority stakeholder Atairos injected £50million ($65.
5m) in equity into the club , increasing its overall stake to 31.1 per cent, and there is a sense Villa are approaching a stage where they will be owned three equal ways: between Sawiris, Atairos and fellow co-owner Wes Edens. Financial clout is not an issue, but unlocking the riches of being in the Champions League and its revenue is an ongoing challenge.
Advertisement “In case we can do something with the possibility to spend money to improve the squad, we are going to do it,” said Emery at a recent press conference, when asked about PSR. “B ut the club is working on it. I will sit with Damian (Vidagany, president of football operations), Monchi and the club to see about the possibilities we may have.
” Which players do they want? The Athletic has previously reported Villa hold an interest in Lille forward Jonathan David , whose contract is expiring at the end of the campaign. While the Canadian striker’s free agency means a number of clubs have shown admiration, his ability to play as a No 9 or in deeper, sometimes wide areas, would fit Villa’s requirements. GO DEEPER The Jonathan David interview: Dreams of Barcelona, scoring against Real Madrid, and his next move Liverpool defender Joe Gomez represents a versatile option at centre-back and right-back, and Villa have shown interest previously.
Links to Villarreal ’s Alex Baena in the Spanish media remain. Emery has worked with the midfielder before, which has proven a factor in several of his and Monchi’s additions, but the cost of the 23-year-old would be prohibitive and requires Villa to be flexible on their spreadsheet. Who will they be looking to sell? Leander Dendoncker is on loan at Anderlecht and is expected to remain in Belgium for the season.
He is, however, available to leave Villa permanently, with Anderlecht retaining an option to buy the midfielder. Villa were open to selling Diego Carlos earlier this year. His standing indicates he will stay in January, though a move away is increasingly likely to be discussed next summer.
Emiliano Buendia is in a similar predicament. He is yet to start in the Premier League and, even though the 27-year-old remains patient and focused on being a success at Villa, he knows the current situation is not sustainable. A loan move in January is unlikely, with the hope being he contributes later in the campaign, otherwise a summer move will be on the cards.
Advertisement Before his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in February, Boubacar Kamara was on some of Europe’s top clubs’ recruitment shortlists. His form since returning is likely to court interest and he would fetch a considerable fee. However, his contract at Villa runs until 2027, meaning there is little need to make a swift decision or initiate contract talks, with his importance to Emery extremely high.
Injury-stricken defender Kortney Hause is out of contract at the end of June and has not played for more than two years due to knee complications. He hoped to return in January 2024, but his circumstances have proven complex. The 29-year-old has been around Bodymoor Heath in recent weeks, with the desire for a fresh start shared between all parties.
Striker Rory Wilson is also out of contract at the end of the season. There is an impasse over a new contract with the 18-year-old, who is managing an ankle issue that has taken longer than expected to recover from. As The Athletic previously outlined, Wilson and his representatives have rejected a series of five-year contracts from Villa, which have reached comfortably into five figures.
Villa are insisting they will not meet salary expectations that are more than double the best-paid player in the academy and more than the first contracts of some members of the senior squad. The Scotland youth international has several admirers in Europe prepared to provide a first-team pathway and a wage of more than £20,000 a week. An agreement could be brought forward in January to allow Wilson an end this difficult time.
Although he can also sign a pre-contract with overseas teams this month, he is more likely to wait until the summer due to his injury. Will anyone move out on loan? Lewis Dobbin , who signed from Everton in June, is enduring a difficult loan spell at West Brom. He has played less than a quarter of available minutes and there is an expectation Villa will look to recall the winger.
Advertisement The same can be said for youngsters Louie Barry and Tommi O’Reilly. Barry is on his second loan at Stockport County and is enjoying a remarkable breakthrough campaign but will return to Villa in January, cutting short his season-long loan. The 21-year-old leads the League One goalscoring charts with 14 goals.
Championship sides have registered an interest in bringing Barry in on a six-month loan, meaning Villa will decide whether to promote him to a higher level or to integrate him into Emery’s plans. O’Reilly could be recalled and sent on another loan, having struggled for starting appearances at Shrewsbury Town. Young defender Sil Swinkels will be allowed to leave on loan.
He recently signed a long-term contract and is well thought of, but needs senior experience. Wycombe Wanderers are credited with ongoing interest in the 20-year-old. The 17-year-old attacker Ben Broggio is enjoying a productive season in Villa’s youth age groups, notably in the UEFA Youth League, where he has scored four times in six matches.
Over the past twelve months, Broggio — who grew up a Villa fan — has trained regularly with the first team and is highly regarded among scouting circles and inside the club. His form has attracted interest from sides wanting to take the youngster on loan. He remains an integral part of Villa’s Youth League campaign and has opportunities to make the first-team squad, meaning there is only a small possibility he leaves on loan.
Who will make the key decisions in January? Emery and Monchi do, facilitated by Vidagany. The pair have the final say in all transfers, supported by a trusted circle of recruitment staff who present options in the positions Emery wants. Other facilitators include loans manager Adam Henshaw and Bryn Davies, who was promoted from head of scouting operations to head of recruitment in November 2023.
(Top photos: Emiliano Buendia and Jonathan David ; Getty Images).
