With the summer transfer window fast approaching, the rumours are in full swing as Aston Villa are linked with Matheus Pereira, Josh Feeney and Sander Berge.
Villa still have a handful of Premier League games before the current campaign is over, and Dean Smith will want his players fully focused on trying to finish as high in the standings as possible.
READ MORE: Smith press conference: Grealish injury boost, thoughts on Villa vs Man Utd
However, as expected, the rumour mill is in motion ahead of the summer, with Villa being linked with a string of transfer targets while also perhaps bidding farewell to certain individuals in the current squad too.
Allardyce makes Pereira concession
As per BirminghamLive, Pereira is a player that Villa have been linked with in recent weeks, as he’s enjoyed a positive season with 10 goals and five assists in 31 appearances for the Baggies.
West Brom boss Sam Allardyce has seemingly now conceded that if an offer arrives for their star man which goes beyond their valuation of him, it will be difficult for them to turn it down as they look set for the drop to the Championship next season.
“There’s a price for everybody, isn’t there? Everybody has a price,” he said, as per the report above. “Whatever price the club thinks Matheus is worth, if anybody goes above that then I would think it would be very difficult for him to say no.
“We’d like Matheus to stay but you don’t know what he’s thinking and you don’t know what other clubs are thinking after the way he’s performed.”
Villa linked with youngster Josh Feeney
Elsewhere, the Daily Mail report that Villa are among a number of clubs with an interest in Fleetwood Town youngster Josh Feeney, with Leicester City, Leeds Utd and Wolves specifically mentioned too.
The 16-year-old has impressed for the League One outfit at youth level, and given the clubs said to be keen, that tells a story in itself about how highly-rated he is.
Time will tell if Villa can fend off competition and land his signature, but it would certainly be a long-term solution if he were to arrive, as we’re well stocked in the centre-half department as things stand.
Villa target Berge gets £35m price-tag
Another player linked with Villa this summer is Sheffield Utd’s Sander Berge, with the Blades preparing to lose key individuals after their relegation from the Premier League.
The 23-year-old has continued to impress when involved this season, with YorkshireLive reporting that Arsenal and Everton are also interested in him.
However, it’s added that he’ll have a relegation release clause of £35m, and so he certainly won’t be cheap to prise away from Bramall Lane.
It’s an area in which Villa could still improve in terms of quality and depth, but it remains to be seen just how much of Smith’s summer budget is directed towards Berge or another midfield option.
Samatta, Taylor paired with Villa exits
While that covers potential incomings, there could also be outgoings this summer too.
BirminghamLive report that Genk could be eyeing a reunion with Mbwana Samatta, who is currently on loan at Fenerbahce after struggling to make an impression at Villa Park.
After just two goals in 16 games for us, the decision was made to ship him out. With Ollie Watkins leading the line brilliantly and with Wesley and Keinan Davis offering back-up as things stand, it could make sense to cut our losses on Samatta.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports are reporting that Neil Taylor is attracting attention as he looks set to depart at the end of the season when his contract expires.
The report notes that clubs in Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are interested in the Welshman, while it’s suggested that it can’t yet be ruled out that the 32-year-old agrees to new terms.
With Matt Targett cementing his place as our first-choice left-back this season, Taylor will have to accept a depth role if he is to stay, or he could prioritise an experience abroad where he’ll get more playing time.