Aston Villa transfer state of play - £72m triple pursuit, Rashford alternative named, Emi Martinez agreement

Aston Villa have taken their first steps into one of their most pivotal summer transfer windows in recent years.

Every transfer window is important but this one is particularly vital given the precarious financial situation the Villans are in and how competitive the Premier League is expected to be next season. Villa aren’t poor - and far from it - but the need to make sales to avoid breaking the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) puts them in a fragile position.

Under PSR, English top-tier clubs are not allowed to record a loss of more than £105 million in the past three years. As it stands, Villa could fail in that regard and they only have until June 30 to correct it. Then there are the UEFA squad cost rules (SCR), whereby Villa cannot spend more than 70 per cent of their revenue on player wages. They’re also on track to breach those regulations, so action is required.

Unai Emery has done an utterly tremendous job to guide Villa to European competition in each of his three years in charge, especially when you consider the threat of relegation was hanging over the club when he first arrived. Qualfiying for the Europa League most recently is superb but missing out on the Champions League was very costly. Getting back into elite continental competition is the priority and the transfer business and how well it is executed will have a huge bearing on that.

So, then, what sales can be made to ensure Villa don’t receive devastating points deductions and fines in the Premier League and Europa League? Who could come in to replace those sacrificed? What business has been done already? And who has been linked with transfers in and out? Grab yourself a cuppa; here’s a full run-through.

Emi Martinez and Leon Bailey sales likely

Villa have already picked out two high-earning players they are open to offloading at the right price in order to ease PSR and SCR concerns. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is the first as the World Cup winner, who turns 33 this year, is one of the club’s most sellable assets and also one of the more replaceable.

Although it’d be a huge blow to lose the two-time Yashin Trophy recipient, Villa believe they could source a successor for around half the price they’d sell him for. The replacement would also be younger and on a less significant salary, so it’s a tempting one – especially as Martinez wasn’t in his best form last season.

Bailey, meanwhile, appeared to be in tears and saying his farewells at the end of the campaign just gone. The Jamaica international winger netted just two goals in all competitions last season, faltering and losing his confidence when it mattered in the Premier League and Champions League.

It’s such a shame it’s ended up this way as Bailey has enjoyed some brilliant moments with Villa. Since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen for around £25 million in 2021, the winger has contributed 22 goals and 24 assists in 144 appearances. His 10 goals and nine assists in the Premier League in 2023-24 were pivotal to Villa qualifying for the Champions League and that won’t be forgotten by Villa fans.

Replacements lined up for Emi Martinez

Emery and Villa’s president of football operations, Monchi, have been drawing up a shortlist of options to replace Martinez. Espanyol’s Joan Garcia was high up on the list but he’s joining Barcelona imminently. LOSC Lille’s Lucas Chevalier, who recently won the Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Season award, is also under consideration.

Barcelona signing Garcia also means that Marc-Andre ter Stegen could be allowed to leave and it’s been reported that Villa have been given the opportunity to sign him. Meanwhile, AC Milan shot-stopper Mike Maignan is entering the final 12 months of his contract and is available for around £25 million.

It awaits to be seen exactly which direction Villa will head in but Maignan and Chevalier - currently France’s first and second choice goalkeepers - are probably the standout options. It all depends if Martinez will leave, really, but it’s probable he does with the likes of Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and clubs in the Saudi Pro League interested. Then there’s Galatasaray, who have reportedly agreed a £40 million deal for Martinez – though this is yet to be confirmed locally.

Who else could leave permanently?

Several other players could depart Villa Park this summer, partly to help with the PSR situation but also to benefit their future careers. One could be attacking midfielder Emiliano Buendia, who is currently on loan at Bayer Leverkusen with an option to buy for £17 million. The Bundesliga club are unlikely to activate the clause, however, so Villa could seek interest from alternative parties. Leeds United have been linked.

One player loaned out who will definitely be sold is Kosta Nedeljkovic. The Serbian right-back joined RB Leipzig in the winter with an option to buy for £12 million. Unlike Leverkusen with Buendia, Leipzig are expected to go ahead with the deal.

To rake in a little more cash, Villa could turn to selling Enzo Barrenechea. The defensive midfielder is seen as a potential rotation option for Emery next season but with Valencia interested in making his loan deal permanent, Villa are tempted to sell. Valencia are keen on a permanent deal, so movement is possible.

Letting players leave who haven’t played a big part this season could be the way forward as Villa wouldn’t feel their losses too deeply. That’s bad news for the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, who will be hoping Villa instead sell one of their star assets, Morgan Rogers.

The 22-year-old made 54 appearances for the Villans last campaign, scoring 14 goals and notching 15 assists. Only Ollie Watkins, with 29, had more direct goal contributions for Villa last term. Then there’s fellow regular starter Lucas Digne, linked with a move to Atletico, however Emery is reluctant to let the France international leave.

Midfield trio Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana have all been tentatively linked with Saudi clubs but Birmingham World understands Villa are not currently willing to sell any of those three – unless substantial offers are tabled that are too difficult to refuse.

Then there’s Philippe Coutinho, still on Villa’s books on a staggering £125,000-a-week wage despite his season-long loan to Vasco da Gama. The Athletic reports Villa are trying to reach an agreement to cancel Coutinho’s deal early as they believe the 32-year-old has no future at the club. It’s likely Villa will have to pay out some compensation.

One striker already signed, Marcus Rashford alternative on way

One of Emery’s priorities this summer is to sign another striker who can compete with Ollie Watkins. That is yet to be achieved, though Feyenoord’s Zepiqueno Redmond, expected to join up with the youth academy, has already been signed on a free transfer.

The 18-year-old, who made his first nine first-team appearances last season, has caught the eye with his exceptional sprint speed, dribbling ability, and desire to run in behind and stretch opposing defences. Redmond is primarily a centre forward but has proven throughout his career that he’s also capable of thriving on the left wing when called upon.

Villa have also been focusing on signing an alternative for Marcus Rashford as the England international will not be joining permanently for £40 million, as was touted previously. Birmingham World understands Villa are already on the verge of signing a successor to Rashford, with a £19.5 million fee agreed to sign Real Betis winger Jesus Rodriguez.

Albeit very inexperienced, the 19-year-old showcased last campaign why he could be one of the stars of the future. He may have only scored three goals and provided one assist in 27 appearances, including 24 starts, but he impressed most with his confidence in taking on his man to progress attacks.

According to a recent scout report from Jacek Kulig, Rodriguez’s main strengths are pace, acceleration, dribbling, ball control, bravery, work rate and athleticism. As he’s right-footed, he likes to cut in from the left but is also capable of reaching the byline on the opposite flank. Rodriguez can also play through the centre as a shadow striker.

Emery wants new defender; two players already on shortlist

Another position Emery is hoping to strengthen before close of play in the summer transfer window is centre-back. At least one new signing at centre-half is seen as a necessity, while another right-back is desired. Villa could theoretically cut a corner by signing someone who is capable of playing in both roles.

Axel Disasi is not expected to be signed permanently following his expensive £5 million loan from Chelsea, though Villa could turn to him if other targets are not secured. Birmingham World understands Valencia’s Cristhian Mosquera and Osasuna’s Enzo Boyomo are among those on the shortlist. Mosquera is available for around £17 million.

One player who is yet to be officially linked but could be a good shout is Barcelona’s Andreas Christensen. As mentioned in an opinion piece recently, the Denmark international, a Champions League winner, is expected to leave the Camp Nou this summer and could play as a right or left centre-back.

Loans being sought for several fringe players

As is often the case, Villa will be looking to loan out several players this summer. Some are not quite in Emery’s plans and will develop better elsewhere, while others are on the fringe and are likely to be happier with regular football away from Villa Park.

Those currently under consideration for loans are Lewis Dobbin, Samuel Iling-Junior and Louie Barry. All three had various spells in the Championship last season and Villa believe the English second tier could be a good destination once again.

Dobbin spent the first half of last season at West Bromwich Albion before being recalled due to a lack of starts. The winger then went to Norwich City, where he played brilliantly to begin with but then suffered an injury that ended his campaign prematurely. The Canaries are believed to have held talks over loaning Dobbin again.

Iling-Junior had a brilliant 2024-25 at Middlesbrough, playing in an auxiliary yet effective left-back role under Michael Carrick. The former Juventus man, brought to Villa Park as part of the Douglas Luiz swap deal just like Barrenechea, could head to the Championship again. Boro recently sacked Carrick, so that might scupper a Riverside Stadium return.

Last but not least, Barry is being lined up for a Championship move. The versatile forward scored a remarkable 15 goals and provided three assists in 23 League One games on loan at Stockport County during the first half of last campaign. Barry then went to Hull City but, just like Dobbin, got injured. Birmingham City are among those keen on signing Barry.