Aston Villa are reportedly close to reaching a deal that would see winger Jaden Philogene move to Hull City in a permanent switch this summer.
The 21-year-old impressed over pre-season with Unai Emery giving him a prominent role, particularly during our trip to the USA.
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That in turn suggested that the talented youngster had made a positive impression on the Villa boss, and with a busy fixture list ahead this season as we look to compete on multiple fronts, it seemed as though he perhaps had played his way into having a role with us this year.
However, according to the Hull Daily Mail, Hull are in talks with Villa over a permanent move for Philogene, and a deal is said to be close with the possibility that it could be agreed this week.
He wasn’t named in the matchday squad for our win over Everton on Sunday, and that could arguably be a significant indication that a switch is on the cards.
It’s added in the report above that Philogene is keen on the move, and so it remains to be seen if the pieces fall into place for him to join Hull and end his time with Villa.
It had been hoped that he would be the next youth product to make a breakthrough at senior level, and all the signs were positive this summer as showed a real attacking threat but balanced that with defensive discipline to fit the mould of an Emery player.
Nevertheless, while there is no suggestion of a fee in the report, it’s hoped that it’s a significant one that boosts our financial position, and allows us to reinvest into the squad with an option that Emery wants to bring in.
Speculation has linked Aaron Ramsey with a permanent exit to Burnley, while Cameron Archer has also been paired with a departure. In turn, time will tell if Philogene will be one more top talent to go, and it will be interesting to see if there an insistence from a Villa perspective to include buy-back clauses to give ourselves the option to bring these youngsters back in the future.
