Aston Villa have had a stunning start to the 2022/23 summer transfer window.
Four permanent signings have already been announced in the form of Philippe Coutinho, Diego Carlos, Boubacar Kamara and Robin Olsen and the incomings aren’t expected to stop there.
Steven Gerrard is still thought to be after a left-sided defender, a battling midfielder and a forward - depending on where the future of Cameron Archer lies.
We are of course now well into transfer season, or silly season as it’s known to many and rumours are swirling.
Due to the overhaul expected at Villa Park and the money available, the claret and blue, like Premier League rivals Newcastle United, appear to be being linked with every man and their dog.
And whilst a lot are nonsense, some do have a bit of credibility behind them.
BirminghamWorld have looked through all of the latest rumours and judged which ones actually have some legs to them and those that don’t.
Each player has been ranked and rated based on how likely they are to sign for the club, from very unlikely, to possible.
1. James Tarkowski - Very unlikely
Tarkowski was linked early doors after Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League but Villa moved onto other targets with the defender expected to join Everton in the coming days.
2. Richarlison - Very unlikely
Villa were the favourites with the bookmakers for a long time as a likely landing spot for Richarlison, however, BirminghamWorld were told that this is a transfer that will not happen.
3. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - Unlikely
Whilst a move for the Ox isn’t definitely off the cards, it seems unlikely. He has the experience Gerrard is after but his inability to stay fit doesn’t fit what the manager wants - especially after his own squad’s injury troubles last year.
4. Otavio - Unlikely
The Portguese attacking-midfielder came out of nowhere over the last few days as a Villa rumour but it seems to be just that. Villa are stacked in midfield/forward positions as it is and Gerrard is likely to look for a player more suited to the holding role before spending on another attacking threat.