Fabrizio Romano shared an update on Aston Villa’s transfer plans this afternoon, as Unai Emery and others keep an eye on the elite club’s “talented” star.
Villa target striker and midfielder for Emery this season
Villa’s January transfer window suffered several setbacks as manager Emery struggled to strengthen his squad at a crucial time.
The Midlands club are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements after losing Donyell Malen to Roma, with Tammy Abraham a likely candidate (Sky Sports).
Villa’s leaders traveled to Istanbul on Monday night to enforce their reign over Abraham (Sky Sports), accelerating attempts to bring back the striker who starred during his loan spell in the 2018/19 season.
Personal terms have already been agreed with Abraham (Fabrizio Romano), but an obstacle remains as the Turkish club must secure a replacement before allowing him to leave (Sky Sports).
Besiktas have also activated their buyout obligation from Roma, creating further complications as Villa seek to reunite with the former Chelsea player.
Emery’s side have replacements for Abraham in Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe-Mateta, who manager David Ornstein has confirmed is a target for the Villains as a Plan B option.
Ornstein said there was a desire by all sides to get a deal done with Abraham, but that negotiations were proving to be “complicated” so he may look to Mateta instead.
Elsewhere in the team, Emery is also looking for a new midfielder.
£35m star opens up possibility of move to Aston Villa after Juventus move ‘collapsed’
The Villains can now pick him up instead.
Villa’s midfield reinforcements have been damaged by the collapse of Conor Gallagher’s contract. The club had a loan deal with Atletico Madrid that included an obligation to buy him this summer, but Tottenham stepped in with a £34 million extortion bid.
The situation got even worse when it was confirmed that Boubacar Kamara had a serious knee problem and would miss the rest of the season.
Villa, 26, was injured during the FA Cup win at Tottenham and was sent off nine minutes into the game for a collision with Joao Parinha.
It’s now clear they need new talent in the engine room, with AC Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek emerging as an option in the past 24 hours.
Aston Villa hold ‘initial negotiations’ to sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek
There have been numerous reports that the former Chelsea midfielder is now a target for Villa, with journalist Graham Bailey being one of the first to claim that Loftus-Cheek was being offered to the club.
Romano also got in on the act, sharing information that Villa have held “initial negotiations” to sign the 29-year-old.
Loftus-Cheek’s contract expires next year, which could reduce his value, but Romano also says Milan have begun negotiations for a contract extension to prevent him from leaving the club lightly.
The England international has made nearly 100 appearances for Milan since joining the Rossoneri in 2023, often showing impressive form from midfield with 11 goals and four assists.
Loftus-Cheek’s proven Premier League experience, having won two titles with Chelsea and had fruitful loan spells with Fulham and Crystal Palace, makes him a strong candidate to strengthen Emery’s options.
According to reports, Villa is also willing to lend to Londoners and, if possible, it would be very cost-effective within the well-known financial constraints.
Owen Hargreaves has praised the player since his move to Italy, calling him a “talented” ace who has blossomed on the European side.
“I know he’s always been a star since he was young, but he probably should have moved[overseas]a little earlier,” Hargreaves said in 2024.
“He’s a very talented guy. He’ll probably play a little deeper sometimes too. This is at his best, arriving in the box with his size. He’s good at heading the ball. He’s got goals in him.”
Aston Villa aim for £135,000 a year to replace Kamara, who Emery described as ‘fantastic’
The Villains have been forced to enter the market to sign a new midfielder.
