Aston Villa already know next five transfer decisions - as £50m and £69m realities clear

Aston Villa have officially entered what’s expected to be one of the most critical and transformative transfer windows in the club’s recent history.

New manager Unai Emery worked wonders with the squad he had at his disposal last campaign, guiding his side to Europa Conference League qualification, but he’s set to demand a mass exodus over the next couple of months.

Some decisions – perhaps up to five of them – are clear but decisive action is yet to be taken for the most part. Villa fans shan’t panic, though, as Emery has a plan and was recently joined by the experienced Monchi, who has come in as the new President of Football Operations.

With that in mind, here are the five major transfer calls we think will be made over the near future, including some that will raise a few eyebrows.

Winger desired but £69m reality apparent

Emery made it very clear in January that he wanted a new wideman with “different characteristics” to what the squad already has. Jacob Ramsey did a brilliant job at the tail end of last term, but the manager desires a talent with disparate attributes for the other flank.

Leon Bailey and Bertrand Traore had moments when they shined but others when they went completely missing. John McGinn did superbly on the right when needed, but he’s not an out-and-out winger.

Instead, Villa are expected to delve into the market for someone a bit more direct and agile, perhaps with more of a creative streak than the current crop. The names linked so far have all been rather expensive, too, displaying Emery’s ambition.

Harvey Barnes is a potential as he was relegated with Leicester City last season and isn’t willing to drop down to the Championship. Villa face competition for the Englishman, however, with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur both interested.

Another option seemed to be Athletic Bilbao wonderkid Nico Williams, but the 20-year-old has reportedly decided to sign a new contract with the La Liga outfit. Gerard Deulofeu was previously on the list, but his recent injury struggles have moved him off the radar.

One name that could be one to seriously watch is Sporting Lisbon star Pedro Gonçalves. The Portugal international has a huge €80 million (£68.8 million) release clause but was one of the biggest stars for the past three campaigns.

Gonçalves notched a stunning 23 goals and four assists in 32 matches throughout 2020/21, eight goals and 10 assists in 27 games in 2021/22, and a remarkable 15 goals and 12 assists in 33 appearances in 2022/23.

The fee may seem completely unrealistic but Villa’s owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, are expected to heavily back Emery. With a goalscoring winger so desperately desired, there’s no wonder Gonçalves is on the list of targets, as per The Athletic.

Centre-half cover wanted

Tyrone Mings has proven time and time again that he should be starting week in, week out and that will likely continue to be the case. Ezri Konsa has also done a splendid job at keeping Diego Carlos out of the side, but Emery is said to want another option.

This makes good sense considering the arrival of Europa Conference League football will bring about heaps of fixture congestion and regular rotation will be required. This will particularly become apparent if injuries begin to creep in.

Options that have been speculated so far include Harry Maguire and Aymeric Laporte but the main man appears to be Pau Torres. The Villarreal centre-back has been linked with Manchester United, Juventus and Bayern Munich, but Villa are reportedly leading the race.

Emery worked with the defender at Villarreal and is said to be eager to reunite with the 26-year-old, but it would take a huge fee to acquire his services. Birmingham Live claims Torres is “weighing up his options” and has a “release clause in excess of £50 million”.

The reality of the matter is it would likely take such a figure, even with the player’s contract expiring in 12 months. The Villans will have to move quickly if they want to complete the deal, with some of Europe’s most prestige clubs waiting in the wings.

Right-back required after Young departure

Club legend Ashley Young has left Villa Park after a hugely successful second spell and has left a huge void at right-back as a result. Although a pacy winger in his early playing days, Young later used his experience to drop back into defence.

Matty Cash remains a good option but Emery will no doubt bring in a fresh face to provide cover and competition. Not many concrete links have emerged so far - and Konsa could probably do a job at the right of a four if needed - but speculation will ramp up soon.

Names loosely touted with a Villans switch are Borussia Dortmund man Thomas Meunier and Southampton ace Kyle Walker-Peters. The former would provide a wealth of European experience, whereas the latter is younger and has more room to improve.

Clearing out deadwood

It won’t just be incomings at Villa Park this summer but also a whole bunch of outgoings as Emery decides those who aren’t capable to compete for a place anymore. Among these is expected to be Leander Dendoncker, with The Athletic claiming Villa are listening to offers.

The Belgium international only joined last summer from local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers but has failed to tie down a regular starting spot. Emery is said to have made the call to let Dendoncker go if an acceptable offer arrives.

Another first-team player who could see the exit door is Calum Chambers, with multiple reports stating he will be offloaded before the start of next season. The former Arsenal man has been a handy utility option but will never be guaranteed regular game time.

Meanwhile, loan returnees Morgan Sanson, Marvelous Nakamba, Kortney Hause, Wesley Moraes, Keinan Davis and Jade Philogene are all expected to depart. Sanson and Nakamba, as examples, look set to join their loan clubs – Strasbourg and Luton Town – permanently.

These players leaving will allow the young blood in the squad, including exciting striker Cameron Archer, the opportunity to get more opportunities. It also provides some extra funds to bring in new additions that will be part of Emery’s plans going forward.

Midfield cover following likely mass exodus

Plenty of those expected to go in the mass exodus are midfielders, meaning replacements will have to be drawn in. It’s rather apparent that Douglas Luiz, Boubacar Kamara and McGinn will often hold starting spots – and so will Youri Tielemans – but new faces will join.

The Athletic reports Leeds United ace Tyler Adams is of genuine interest to Villa following the Whites’ relegation to the Sky Bet Championship. Just like Barnes and Tielemans, the American won’t feature in the second tier and a move away is inevitable.

Adams is said to be “high on Villa’s list of targets” and he “has been tracked for some time”, indicating an official offer to Leeds is likely. The 24-year-old only signed from RB Leipzig last summer but is expected to leave for a fee in excess of £30 million.

Brighton and Hove Albion are also interested, though, so there’s some strong competition. The Seagulls need a new midfielder after losing Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool and Moises Caicedo is also expected to move, as per our sister publication, Sussex World.

Another name linked is Borussia Mönchengladbach defensive midfielder Manu Koné, but it’s expected Jürgen Klopp’s Reds will make a swoop. The Frenchman is also likely to cost around £40 million or more after impressing in the Bundesliga.

Meanwhile, the Villans are in talks with West Bromwich Albion over promising youngster Rico Richards, according to Football Insider. Although unlikely to start many matches, the 19-year-old would probably get some action in the cup and is one to watch for the future.