While Aston Villa have already been busy in this summer transfer window, more exits are expected before the deadline as Unai Emery continues to strengthen his squad.
Douglas Luiz, Tim Iroegbunam, Morgan Sanson, Omari Kellyman and loanees Nicolo Zaniolo and Clement Lenglet have already departed, as we look to not only create space in the squad to upgrade, but also balance our books and deal with our PSR concerns.
READ MORE: Top Villa prospect pens contract extension with key decision ahead
The consensus is that the regulations are no longer a pressing worry for us, and so ultimately it feels as though the foundation has been set for Emery to bring in significant reinforcements between now and the end of the window, to add to those who have already arrived.
That said, it will still be important to balance our spending with sales, particularly where the Villa boss believes that we can improve by bringing in options who offer more quality and talent, and are capable of being a more effective and consistent fit with his ideas and style of play.
Speculation has also heavily linked some of these individuals with a departure this summer, and so it will be a key element in how we strenghthen over the coming weeks and months.
Jhon Duran
Speculation has been rife over the Colombian international’s future for some time now, and with question marks being raised over his character and attitude, time will tell if he stays beyond the summer.
The 20-year-old is a top talent, and while he managed to contribute eight goals in 37 appearances last season, he still has a vital role to play as back-up behind Ollie Watkins, as well as being able to offer a different attacking dynamic in the final third.
However, should a significant offer arrive for him, there is a sense that Villa will sell, and ultimately that opens the door for Emery to bring in a better suited option.
Leander Dendoncker
After a disappointing loan stint at Napoli, it doesn’t appear as though Dendoncker has a future at Villa, with Emery moving in a different direction and looking to raise the level of our midfield options.
It may prove to be difficult to offload the Belgian midfielder though, as with his lack of playing time over the past 12 months, he hasn’t had the opportunity to impress and attract attention.
Nevertheless, he’s experienced, adds an important presence in that area of the pitch, and so hopefully there will still be willing takers in the coming weeks.
Philippe Coutinho
Similarly to Dendoncker, the Brazilian playmaker was sent out on loan last season and reports suggest that he could be heading back to Brazil this summer.
With Emery moving in a different direction with talented younger players who can be more effective in his system, structure and style of play, Coutinho’s days at Villa are surely numbered as it’s difficult to see a way back into the side.
It’s hoped that any exit package is beneficial for us in terms of offloading his wages, but he should be on his way out before the start of pre-season.
Lucas Digne or Alex Moreno
Following the arrivals of Ian Maatsen and Samuel Iling-Junior, the knock-on effect is expected to be an exit for one or both of our current left-backs.
Digne is rumoured to be one of the top earners at the club and so shifting his salary would make sense, while Moreno is coming off the back of an injury-plagued season after initially making a very positive impression as a Villa player.
Time will tell who Emery is more prepared to lose, but expect one of them to move on given we’ve got more than enough competition and depth in that position now.
Calum Chambers
Emery publicly confirmed last season that the door is open for Chambers to leave, and so this seems like an inevitable move.
That said, it’s hoped that the necessary interest is there from other clubs to ensure that a suitable offer arrives, and a solution is found that suits all concerned.
Matty Cash or Diego Carlos
Speculation earlier this summer suggested that both could be sold, but those rumours appear to have gone quiet in recent weeks, particularly after others have moved on and seemingly helped address our PSR issues.
Still, does Emery believe that we can upgrade in those positions? If so, selling Cash and/or Carlos would help fund his pursuit of his preferred targets, and so it remains to be seen if they’ve done enough to secure their place in the Villa squad for the upcoming campaign.
Given it could be argued that Carlos is great competition and depth in that right-sided centre-half role, while Cash can be the experienced presence at right-back as he looks to fend off Kosta Nedeljkovic and Kaine Kesler-Hayden, we could ultimately end up keeping the pair instead.
Robin Olsen
Joe Gauci has now had half a season to settle and adapt, and coupled with the returns of Viljami Sinisalo and Filip Marschall from loan spells, is the Swede still our second-choice shot-stopper?
Although he showed signs of improvement last year, there are still question marks over his ability to be a reliable back-up option between the posts, and we’ve certainly got a lot of young talent knocking on the door looking for a promotion.
There hasn’t been much said on Olsen’s future thus far, and so we may well opt to loan out our youngsters again and stick with the experienced Swedish stalwart for another year.