Aston Villa transfer state of play: Two deals done and two more likely as rumours debunked

Round-up of the latest Aston Villa done deals, likely signings & transfer rumours ahead of Deadline Day - including updates on Guendouzi, Deulofeu and Dembele.
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The January transfer window is nearing its end with deadline day less than a week away but Aston Villa have made just two new signings, far less than what was expected with a new manager through the door. There is still time, though, and it seems Unai Emery is keen on bringing in a new winger and midfielder before the close of play.

It has been a very active window for teams in the Premier League as hundreds of millions have been splashed, seeing the English top flight blow away other divisions across Europe for money spent. Chelsea, who have paid a total of €178.5 million for new signings in January, have spent more alone than every side in La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga combined (just over €100 million).

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Villa have not gone anywhere near as daring with their purchases, but a respectable €30 million or so has been dished out so far. Emery is expected to be provided with more funds to get the players he wants, with some top-quality names linked. With that in mind, here is a round-up of the Villans’ window so far, including the done deals, signings that look likely, and other transfer rumours circulating.

Aston Villa done deals in January 2023

At the time of publication, Emery has made two signings at Aston Villa during the January transfer window. The first, coming in to offer depth and a bit more going forward at left-back, was Alex Moreno from Real Betis. At 29 years of age, the Spaniard is a versatile defender and winger who left La Liga as one of the division’s best full-backs.

The second addition was Jhon Duran, who signed from Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire for an initial fee of around £15 million, though add-ons could take the total closer to £20 million. Having scored eight goals and contributed five assists in 27 MLS appearances last campaign, Duran caught the attention of Manchester United and Liverpool - but Villa were the quickest to pounce.

To make room for the new faces at Villa Park, there have been quite a few outgoings as Emery looks to make his mark, clearing out any deadwood. One departure was slightly out of the Lions’ hands as Southampton decided to recall defender Jan Bednarek from his loan spell, but two others were sent out on a temporary basis for some game time elsewhere.

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Promising forward Cameron Archer has been unable to get consistent minutes, so he has been sent to Championship side Middlesbrough until the end of the season, whereas Morgan Sanson, who only recently scored his first goal for Villa, has headed to Strasbourg for the rest of the season. Sanson reunites with Frederic Guilbert at Strasbourg as Emery decided to let the full-back go permanently.

Early signs suggest signing Alex Moreno was a shrewd bit of business.Early signs suggest signing Alex Moreno was a shrewd bit of business.
Early signs suggest signing Alex Moreno was a shrewd bit of business.

Danny Ings is the only player to leave this month for a transfer fee, as West Ham United swooped in and signed the ex-Liverpool man for a reported £15 million. Although sad to see him go as he was a big presence in the dressing room, Ings’ exit should offer a path for Duran to play more often upon his arrival.

Signings: Alex Moreno (Real Betis), Jhon Duran (Chicago Fire).

Departures: Danny Ings (West Ham), Frederic Guilbert (Strasbourg), Cameron Archer (Middlesbrough, loan), Morgan Sanson (Strasbourg, loan), Jan Bednarek (Southampton, terminated loan).

Signings that look likely for Aston Villa

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As things stand, there are two players that look fairly likely to make the move to Villa Park, though no fee has been agreed for either just yet. The first is Matteo Guendouzi, who is top of the list of Emery’s midfield targets, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Marseille ace just cannot get out of the Villa transfer headlines at the moment as Emery is desperate to reunite with his former Arsenal colleague.

Matteo Guendouzi was part of the France team that finished runners-up to Argentina at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.Matteo Guendouzi was part of the France team that finished runners-up to Argentina at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Matteo Guendouzi was part of the France team that finished runners-up to Argentina at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Meanwhile, Lyon forward Moussa Dembele has been strongly looked at as a potential Ings replacement. Heading into the final six months of his contract, he could either sign on a free in the summer or join now for a cut-price fee. The Villans are still working out which option they prefer.

Gerard Deulofeu was an option being looked at to improve on the flanks and the Spaniard reportedly has a “rich offer” of €4 million per year “in hand” from Villa. Emery’s side were willing to offer around €20 million, though his current club, Udinese, wanted more. Deulofeu has now suffered a potential season-ending injury, however, meaning a transfer is completely off the table.

Just transfer rumours, as it stands

There is a lot of talk about Villa wanting a new winger, and that part is definitely true, but not every player linked is destined for the West Midlands. The beforementioned Deulofeu, as well as Nico Williams, Nicolas Jackson and Samuel Chukwueze are just a few to have been talked about, but a lot of these have been limited to ‘rumour’ statuses for now.

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Elsewhere, Villa were unsuccessful in an attempt to sign 20-year-old winger Williams in a potential club-record £45 million deal. Emery’s side are said to have met the Athletic Bilbao wonderkid’s release clause, but the player himself is happy in Spain. As an alternative, Real Betis forward Luiz Henrique has been linked, but he is likely to cost around £50 million – perhaps too much.

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