Aston Villa ‘seriously considering’ January midfield move as Unai Emery gives green light for sale

After their latest win over Luton Town at the weekend, Aston Villa now sit fifth in the Premier League table on 22 points, just one point behind Liverpool who occupy fourth.

Unai Emery’s side are building on last season’s impressive run, which saw them qualify for European football for the first time in 13 years. Now, as the January window approaches, Villa have been linked to more new signings after their summer spending spree. Let’s take a look at some of the latest transfer rumours linked to Villa Park.

Emery gives green light for January sale

Emery has given the go ahead for the club to sell Bertrand Traoré once the January transfer window opens. According to Football Insider, Villa are ready to accept an offer for the out of favour winger to leave in the new year.

It has been made clear that Traoré does not feature in Emery’s plans moving forwards, having played just 10 minutes of Premier League football so far this season. There are no plans to extend the 28-year-old’s contract, which is due to run out this summer. Traoré signed for Villa in 2020 from Lyon in a £17 million deal and has made 61 appearances for the Midlands club since his arrival, contributing 10 goals and eight assists in that time.

Villa ‘seriously considering’ move for midfielder

Villa are exploring their midfield options and are said to be ‘seriously considering’ a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios in January. That’s according to Argentina-based TNT Sports, who report that a number of clubs are monitoring the midfielder, who penned a new deal with Xabi Alonso’s side last September.

Palacios has started all but match in the Bundesliga this season, contributing two goals and two assists so far. Despite being tied down until 2028, Villa are joined by Manchester City and Newcastle United in the chase for the 25-year-old’s signature.