Aston Villa have gained momentum in their quest to sign a player after taking a cautious approach to signings.
Unai Emery eyes new Villa forward and midfielder
According to various reports this month, Villa Park are thought to be considering signing a new striker and midfielder, with Evan Guesand attracting interest from Crystal Palace, while winger Leon Bailey has also been recalled from his loan to Roma.
Villa’s January recruitment pool has been dramatically strengthened following Donyell Malen’s move to Roma, with manager Unai Emery now desperately searching for a new striker despite severe financial constraints.
Negotiations reportedly proved complicated due to restrictions on PSR and future squad cost ratios, and the signing of Conor Gallagher could prove to be a loss for Villa if Spurs suddenly offered favorable terms to Atletico Madrid.
Despite his continued setbacks, Tammy Abraham remains a key target to strengthen Villa’s attacking options, according to reports.
Officials traveled to Istanbul on Monday to observe the striker and discuss his situation at Besiktas, where he faces an obligation to buy him from Roma.
Aston Villa have made an offer for another former Chelsea star alongside Tammy Abraham
He could emerge as another option in January.
Villa are said to have already agreed personal terms with Abraham for a return to Villa Park, but finding an acceptable arrangement between the different three parties remains a major hurdle.
With Abraham negotiations at a standstill, David Ornstein and others report that Villa are pivoting to Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta as an alternative solution.
The French forward is a proven option in the Premier League and could fit in quickly, having scored seven league goals this season after scoring 17 in all competitions last season.
Juventus were also in talks to sign Mateta, but they refused to meet Palace’s offer and are said to have positioned Villa as their frontrunner if they pursued the player aggressively.
The 28-year-old is thought to be very keen to leave Selhurst Park this month and is therefore open to joining Emery’s team.
Jean-Philippe Mateta open to move to Aston Villa
At least that’s according to journalist Graham Bailey, who shared an interesting update via TEAMtalk.
According to his information, Villa have emerged as a surprise candidate after Mateta’s move to Juventus fell through. The number nine is also said to be furious with Palace after negotiations between the two clubs broke down.
Mateta had already agreed personal terms with Juve that would almost double his current salary, but talks stalled as Palace demanded £35m for the striker.
Unfortunately, the Italian giants were unable to live up to the Eagles’ assessment, leaving the forward deeply frustrated and looking for another way out of Selhurst Park.
Villa are currently ‘quietly being approached’ for Mateta as manager Emery looks for more firepower to strengthen his attacking options. TT Report Villa’s recruitment team is assessing whether the deal can be completed before the end of the period.
His physical presence and track record in the Premier League make him an attractive solution for Emery’s side who are pursuing other goals at the same time, with manager Troy Deeney praising Mateta as a “big” and “powerful” centre-forward.
However, Villa are continuing negotiations over Abraham, continuing negotiations with Roma and Besiktas, and exploring multiple avenues to strengthen their front.
Mateta has also indicated he is open to joining Villa, although he plans to leave this month after a move to Serie A fell through.
It will be interesting to see how this story unfolds, but it is safe to say that Mateta will be pursued as Abraham’s replacement if negotiations break down.
Crystal Palace agrees to make U-turn, refuses to leave club: “It’s a joy to watch”
They agreed to the deal.
