It’s been a quiet period for Aston Villa in the transfer window after a busy start, but further activity to strengthen Unai Emery’s squad is still expected between now and the transfer deadline.
After making multiple new signings and offloading players to balance our spending, it was always likely that Villa would take stock at some point and consider their options heading into the last weeks of the window.
READ MORE: One out, one in as Villa continue talks over key signing to fill potential void
Emery, Monchi and our recruitment team will continue to be methodical and analytical in our assessment of what we need to bring in, who are the priority targets and who must leave to create space in the squad and reduce the wage bill as well as bring in transfer fees to maintain our financial standing.
Recent speculation would suggest that we’ve hit a slight deadlock in terms of waiting for players to leave first so as to avoid having too big a squad, and so time will tell if the following individuals could help unlock further signings.
Diego Carlos
Doubts have emerged over the Brazilian centre-half’s future at Villa over the past week, largely stemming from his absence from Emery’s matchday squad for our last three pre-season friendlies.
At 31 years of age, with his injury history, touted high wages and with two years remaining on his current contract, this is arguably the most sensible decision at this stage to move Carlos on, despite the fact that he played such an important role last season.
As per Fabrizio Romano, Villa remain in talks to sign Lutsharel Geertruida from Feyenoord, but Carlos must be offloaded first it seems, and it’s hoped a solution materialises that suits all concerned.
Lucas Digne/Alex Moreno
After the big-money signing of Ian Maatsen earlier this summer, Emery appears to have his first-choice left-back for the long-term future, but a key problem still remains in the squad.
While we certainly need depth and competition as we try to challenge across multiple fronts, having both Digne and Moreno is surely unnecessary and a drain on resources.
Digne is seemingly set to start against West Ham Utd this weekend having featured heavily in pre-season, but Maatsen will be pushing to make that position his own over time. So, has the Frenchman done enough to convince Emery he should stay, or is Moreno still the better suited option for the Villa boss?
Leander Dendoncker
The Belgian international is surely considered expendable, but it’s likely proven to be a difficult challenge trying to offload him this summer.
After his loan stint at Napoli proved to be unproductive and frustrating, it harmed his chances of earning a permanent move elsewhere, but it remains to be seen if he is a late departure with a club looking for experience and solidity in their midfield.
With Amadou Onana, Enzo Barrenechea and Ross Barkley joining us this summer, it’s unclear if a Dendoncker exit would require a signing to fill the void, as we seem to have enough in that department with Boubacar Kamara to come back from injury too, while we also have more pressing needs elsewhere.
Jhon Duran
After all the talk he sparked with his social media antics and comments on his future at Villa earlier this summer, the Colombian striker is back training with the squad amid ongoing question marks over whether or not he’ll stay.
With potential destinations seemingly whittling down by the week as interested clubs find alternative solutions, it’s unclear now if Duran will move on or get a chance of a fresh start by Emery to prove himself.
His exit would arguably unlock the door for Villa to make a marquee signing to bolster our attack, and so it’s hoped either that materialises soon, or he ultimately moves on from it, gets his head down and makes a positive impact on the pitch on a consistent basis for us in the opening weeks of the new season to win the fans over and make a crucial contribution.
