Aston Villa plot transfer raids
After Unai Emery was rewarded with a new contract for guiding Villa to a fourth-placed Premier League finish, which comes with it Champions League football, attentions have turned to recruitment.
There are concerns that a sale will have to be made in order to balance their books for financial fair play considerations, with the likes of Douglas Luiz, Jhon Duran and Jacob Ramsey among those who could quit the club before the financial deadline of June 30th.
But that has not deterred possible arrivals, and the midlands outfit are in the closing stages of arranging a transfer for Luton Town’s Ross Barkley. With the Hatters relegated, their prominent figure was always destined to be grabbed and it is thought that a deal worth approximately £5m is close.
The Villans have also started early talks for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, however the Blues are said to demand roughly £50m to allow him leave this summer and that may be a stumbling point for a side already worried with financial fair play.
Any deal for Gallagher may therefore hang on Luiz’s future, despite interest from Juventus and Villa ready to selling for the right price. The Brazilian experienced his greatest Premier League season in the 2023-24 campaign but may be sacrificed in order to allow the club to continue pushing upward ahead of the upcoming season. Now, the club have been tipped as likely to make a move for one of his compatriots.
Aston Villa express interest in Fulham star
That comes as the Midlands outfit are attributed with an interest in Fulham offensive midfielder Andreas Pereira, according to sources from his homeland.
Globo Esporte, relayed by Sport Witness, allege that Spurs, Newcastle and Villa have all “expressed interest” in the 28-year-old this summer. Though he still has two years still to run on his £50,000 per week deal at Craven Cottage, a stay this summer is viewed as “unlikely” and both the player and club apparently see a parting of ways as the best solution following offers from the three top league rivals.
Pereira enjoyed another impressive year under Marco Silva, with the ex-Manchester United man grabbing three goals and seven assists in 37 games to send the Cottagers well clear of relegation concerns. Undeniably gifted, fellow Brazilian Fred was ready to pump up his former teammate when asked about him in 2022, telling the Manchester United media:
“I think he’s doing really well at Fulham, he’s a great player. Everyone knows how good he is. We played together here for long time, he was at Flamengo in Brazil where he did well, I was following him there.”
“Now he’s back here with Fulham and having a great season in the Premier League. Great player, we know his quality””
Of the three sides interested in Pereira, it is thought that Aston Villa could have an advantage on two fronts, with the Fulham man keen to play in the Champions League next season, while agent Kia Joorabchian has already had dealings with Villa in recent seasons, helping them sign Diego Carlos, Philippe Coutinho and also helping extend Luiz’s contract.
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