{"id":41188,"date":"2026-02-04T02:30:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T07:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/emery-really-wants-aston-villa-to-sign-tottenham-star-in-january-and-has-held-talks\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T02:30:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T07:30:11","slug":"emery-really-wants-aston-villa-to-sign-tottenham-star-in-january-and-has-held-talks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/emery-really-wants-aston-villa-to-sign-tottenham-star-in-january-and-has-held-talks\/","title":{"rendered":"Emery really wants Aston Villa to sign Tottenham star in January and has held talks"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/emery-really-wants-aston-villa-to-sign-tottenham-star-in-january-and-has-held-talks\/#Harvey_Elliott_leaves_Aston_Villa_on_loan_allowing_transfer_decision\" >Harvey Elliott leaves Aston Villa on loan, allowing transfer decision<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/emery-really-wants-aston-villa-to-sign-tottenham-star-in-january-and-has-held-talks\/#Unai_Emery_wanted_to_sign_Conor_Gallagher_in_January\" >Unai Emery wanted to sign Conor Gallagher in January<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/emery-really-wants-aston-villa-to-sign-tottenham-star-in-january-and-has-held-talks\/#Aston_Villa_submit_bid_on_deadline_day_to_secure_biggest_contract_since_Rodgers\" >Aston Villa submit bid on deadline day to secure biggest contract since Rodgers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/emery-really-wants-aston-villa-to-sign-tottenham-star-in-january-and-has-held-talks\/#Aston_Villa_sign_upgrade_with_future_%E2%80%98Beast_Abraham\" >Aston Villa sign upgrade with future &#8216;Beast&#8217; Abraham<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Manager Unai Emery was so keen for Aston Villa to sign the Tottenham star in January that the Villans have even contacted the player directly.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>The Midlands club have had a solid month overall, bringing back fan favorites Tammy Abraham and Douglas Lewis to strengthen their squad, as well as bringing in exciting youngsters Brian Maggio and Alisson.<\/p>\n<p>Abraham joined from Besiktas for \u00a318 million after scoring 13 goals for Besiktas in the Turkish Super Lig, while Luiz returned on loan from Juventus after a lackluster spell at Nottingham Forest.<\/p>\n<p>However, it was not all rosy as Villa failed to cope with the ongoing Harvey Elliott nightmare.<\/p>\n<p>The Liverpool loanee remains in limbo after Emery brutally made it clear he had no intention of triggering his \u00a335m buyout clause after Elliott made 10 appearances.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                      \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"harvey-elliott-transfer-decision-out-of-window-aston-villa-exit-possible\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/harvey-elliott-for-aston-villa.jpeg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/harvey-elliott-for-aston-villa.jpeg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Harvey_Elliott_leaves_Aston_Villa_on_loan_allowing_transfer_decision\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tHarvey Elliott leaves Aston Villa on loan, allowing transfer decision<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">The Liverpool loanee is not wanted by manager Unai Emery.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The midfielder has now featured in seven games and faces months of watching from the sidelines despite training with the first team.<\/p>\n<p>However, while Villa managed to overcome some difficult situations, they were woefully short of what Emery thought they should have prioritized.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"unai-emery-really-wanted-to-sign-conor-gallagher-in-january\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Unai_Emery_wanted_to_sign_Conor_Gallagher_in_January\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Unai Emery wanted to sign Conor Gallagher in January<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>According to The Athletic, Villa learned in January of the possibility of signing England midfielder Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid and seriously pursued him as a &#8216;market opportunity&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p>This wasn&#8217;t Villa&#8217;s first rodeo with Gallagher either.<\/p>\n<p>Emery was actively pursuing him in 2024, when the 25-year-old ultimately opted to move from Chelsea to Spain rather than Villa Park.<\/p>\n<p>The Villa manager was clearly convinced of the midfielder&#8217;s qualities and pushed hard again last month to finally sign the player.<\/p>\n<p>Villa&#8217;s strong relationship with Atl\u00e9tico proved invaluable during negotiations.<\/p>\n<p>They laid important groundwork over the weeks leading up to the winter period and had productive discussions with both Gallagher himself and his agent about a potential move to Birmingham.<\/p>\n<p>Everything seemed to be going well until, towards the end, Tottenham suddenly emerged as serious rivals for his signature.<\/p>\n<p>At that moment, Villa&#8217;s confidence completely evaporated.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                      \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"best-signing-since-rogers-aston-villa-made-offer-for-huijsen\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/aston-villa-star-morgan-rogers.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/aston-villa-star-morgan-rogers.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"440\" height=\"364\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Aston Villa star Morgan Rodgers\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/aston-villa-star-morgan-rogers.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=220&amp;h=182&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/aston-villa-star-morgan-rogers.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=220&amp;h=182&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Aston_Villa_submit_bid_on_deadline_day_to_secure_biggest_contract_since_Rodgers\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tAston Villa submit bid on deadline day to secure biggest contract since Rodgers<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Aston Villa are reportedly considering signing their star player in what would be their biggest signing since Morgan Rodgers.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>They felt that Gallagher had deliberately begun delaying decisions as other clubs attempted to hijack the negotiations and undermine Villa&#8217;s carefully constructed plans.<\/p>\n<p>Until Spurs intervened, Villa were acting directly on Emery&#8217;s personal desire to sign the former Chelsea academy graduate and genuinely felt Gallagher was willing to join Spurs.<\/p>\n<p>The Athletic confirmed that this was an Emery-led pursuit from start to finish. Villa sources have revealed the offer comes with an initial loan of \u00a322 million plus potential add-ons and an obligation to make the move permanent.<\/p>\n<p>But this is where it really hurts for Villa &#8211; their offer included a much lower wage package than the one offered by Tottenham.<\/p>\n<p>In the end, Spurs beat Villa&#8217;s wage structure and paid \u00a334 million to sign Gallagher, beating out their league rivals and winning the race.<\/p>\n<p>Emery must have been absolutely pissed to see one of his main targets choose Tottenham instead, especially after Villa spent weeks building relationships and laying the foundations, only to see Spurs swoop in with the checkbook.<\/p>\n<p>It was another disappointing near miss for Villa in the transfer window.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                      \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"aston-villa-madjo-future-abraham-upgrade\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/abraham.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/abraham.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"440\" height=\"364\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"abraham\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/abraham.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=220&amp;h=182&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/abraham.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=220&amp;h=182&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Aston_Villa_sign_upgrade_with_future_%E2%80%98Beast_Abraham\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tAston Villa sign upgrade with future &#8216;Beast&#8217; Abraham<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">This Aston Villa talent is one to watch over the next few years.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Manager Unai Emery was so keen for Aston Villa to sign the Tottenham star in January that the Villans have even contacted the player directly. The Midlands club have had a solid month overall, bringing back fan favorites Tammy Abraham and Douglas Lewis to strengthen their squad, as well as bringing in exciting youngsters Brian [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":41189,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[390,5501,40,6094,6232,43,86,488,105,633],"class_list":{"0":"post-41188","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-aston","9":"tag-emery","10":"tag-football","11":"tag-held","12":"tag-january","13":"tag-sign","14":"tag-star","15":"tag-talks","16":"tag-tottenham","17":"tag-villa"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41188","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41188"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41188\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41188"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}