Former Leeds United striker makes shock ‘most likely to leave’ Aston Villa admission, hints at Liverpool man as replacement

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes Aston Villa could look to offload record signing Emiliano Buendia if the claret and blue pursue a move for Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Villa have already added both Philippe Coutinho and Boubacar Kamara on permanent deals this summer and are rumoured to be looking at further bolstering their midfield with the out-of-favour Reds man.

For all of the good that new additions will do for the team, it will leave some players struggling for minutes and in turn maybe looking for moves elsewhere.

Morgan Sanson, Marvelous Nakamba and Carney Chukwuemeka seem three obvious names straight off the bat that could leave on permanent or loan deals to free up room in the current side but Whelan thinks last summer’s big money signing Buendia, that is most likely.

“When you look at Buendia, he’s probably the most likely to leave the club and is probably the one who could raise the most money at the moment,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.

The comments from the former forward came off the back of him suggesting that Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would be a good fit for the claret and blue.

He compared the Ox’s style of play to that of Buendia’s, another reason why he feels the Argentine would be the most likely to move on, if Villa were to make a move for the Premier League winner.

“Oxlade-Chamberlain can also play out wide and provide another option in those positions,” he said.

“However, you can’t saturate that midfield area with experienced players and not give them all the right amount of minutes.

“It’s a squad game these days but all of those Villa midfielders will want to be starting every game. That’s just not possible if they move for Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“Gerrard knows what he can get out of him. He would be a really good asset on the training ground as well.”

We’re not sure too many will agree with Whelan, but stranger things have happened in football.

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