Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been coy on whether or not we’ll make another further signings this summer, but he does expect more exits in the coming weeks.
Youri Tielemans, Pau Torres and Moussa Diaby have arrived to strengthen our spine, while Marvelous Nakamba, Morgan Sanson, Ashley Young, Wesley, Viljami Sinisalo and Jed Steer have departed.
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If the transfer window were to close tomorrow, we could arguably feel pretty comfortable and confident with the group at Emery’s disposal knowing how much improvement he inspired in the second half of last season, but as always, we’ll remain prepared to move in the market if an opportunity to improve presents itself.
“We can have the possibility of some players to leave, and of course, we have to be open if we can add some players really helping us in the squad to do it,” Emery told the media last week, as per BirminghamLive.
At this stage, exits to clear space in the squad and free up resources are likely to be key before any late pursuits that we may launch, and there are still a number of individuals in the current group that could end up moving on before the deadline, albeit that’s not to suggest that all five will definitely leave.
Kortney Hause
With the quality competition that we now have in the centre-half positions, coupled with the fact that Hause was out on loan last season before suffering an injury, it doesn’t appear likely he’ll form part of Emery’s plans moving forward.
The challenge though will be whether or not we receive a suitable offer to green light a departure, as ideally we’ll get a permanent transfer rather than another temporary fix.
Either way though, Hause himself will likely hope to get a move too given his expected lack of playing time, while he still has two years remaining on his current contract.
Bertrand Traore
The 27-year-old played a surprisingly key role at the end of last season to help us get over the line and qualify for Europe, with two vital goals that proved to be decisive.
That said, it was felt that he was always going to be a temporary solution for Emery on the right side of our midfield or more advanced, as it was a position that the Villa boss wanted to strengthen back in January.
Having now added Diaby, coupled with those already ahead of him in the pecking order, Traore could be set to move on this summer, again dependent on what offers arrive, as we have stepped up our recruitment a level.
Philippe Coutinho or Leon Bailey
Speculation has linked us with the likes of Ferran Torres and Joao Felix, and regardless of whether or not there is a strong belief a deal is possible for either of those two, there is a sense that Emery would swoop for another attacker that suits his style and system.
However, assuming Traore was to move on, it’s unlikely Villa would approve an exit for one of Coutinho or Bailey on top of that without a replacement coming in who we could regard as an upgrade, but both have been paired with an exit, according to the Daily Mail for Bailey and CBS Sports for his Brazilian teammate.
In turn, much will depend on our desire to bring in another new face, as that could influence just how open we are to allowing one of these two to leave. While Bailey struggled last season to deliver consistently, Coutinho was plagued by injuries. There’s still a hope with the latter that Emery can get a lot more out of him.
Leander Dendoncker
While Sanson and Nakamba have already exited the club, there was talk last month of an openness to let Dendoncker leave too as per Fabrizio Romano, after he has fallen down the pecking order after Tielemans’ arrival.
The Belgian international featured 26 times for us last season, and he proved to be a dependable option to come in and do a job as he added steeliness and physicality to our midfield.
That in turn could make him a useful part of the squad moving forward as Emery will have to rotate and have different solutions available, but we could allow Dendoncker to leave if it enables us to go out and get another top midfield signing, while Tim Iroegbunam could be set to stay with us and provide depth instead.
Keinan Davis
Similarly to Hause, it does feel as though the writing is on the wall for Davis this summer and that he will ultimately end up moving on.
That said, it does again come down to whether or not an acceptable offer comes in for him, as although he’s shown his ability to make an important impact in his previous spell with Watford, the 25-year-old has also had his problems with injuries.
With Jhon Duran and Cameron Archer expected to provide depth behind Ollie Watkins this season, there is no role for him at Villa moving forward, and it’s surely in everyone’s interest that a solution is found for him to move on.
