Chelsea 'prepare' shock player-plus-cash deal for Aston Villa star as Unai Emery eyes £29.5m Man Utd target

Aston Villa have been involved in plenty of transfer business already this summer and the deals continue to be struck. The big news on Saturday was the £50m agreement Aston Villa struck with Everton for midfielder Amadou Onana.

The Belgian is set to replace Douglas Luiz in the heart of the Aston Villa midfield, after the Brazilian made the switch to Serie A giants Juventus last month. On Sunday, all eyes will be on the Euro 2024 final as England take on Spain in a bid to try and win their first European Championship title.

Villa striker Ollie Watkins was the hero for the Three Lions in midweek, as he scored the 90th-minute winner in a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands with a shrewd and precise finish to book another final for Gareth Southgate’s side. But before we get to Berlin, here’s the latest transfer news and rumours surrounding Villa Park.

Chelsea ‘ready’ swap deal for Watkins

Sticking with Watkins, an eyebrow-raising report from Football Insider has claimed Chelsea are preparing a cash-plus-player deal in an attempt to sign the striker this summer. The 28-year-old has impressed since his move to Birmingham in 2020, with his current contract at Villa Park running until 2028.

He has scored 70 goals and provided 26 assists in 169 games for Villa and last season netted an impressive 19 goals while adding 13 assists as Emery’s side clinched fourth place and a place in the Champions League.

Despite the Blues playing in the Europa Conference League next season, Enzo Maresca’s side are reportedly ready to offer Conor Gallagher plus a transfer fee to lure Watkins to West London. However, the striker is a key part of Emery’s plans and it would likely take a sensational offer for his departure to be considered.

Villa ‘prepare offer’ for Yilmaz

After agreeing deals for Onana and Jaden Philogene, the next player Villa want to sign this summer is Galatasaray and Turkey star Baris Alper Yilmaz - according to reports in the player’s homeland.

According to Turkish outlet Sabah, Villa are tracking the winger but it is claimed he will cost around £29.5m. Moussa Diaby has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League which could land Emery with more cash to spend before the window closes, if a deal is completed.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with the player who scored six goals and provided six assists as Galatasaray won the Turkish Super Lig last term with 102 points - beating Fenerbache, who racked up 99 points, to top spot.