‘Deal off’ - Aston Villa dealt hammer blow as transfer target is set to undergo surgery

Aston Villa will not be signing Udinese winger Gerard Deulofeu this month, it has been confirmed by a reputable report. Linked tirelessly with a move to Villa Park over recent weeks, it seemed inevitable that the Spaniard would make a Premier League return, but that has now been ruled out.

The Villans made an enquiry to Udinese earlier this month, with new manager Unai Emery keen on bringing in a “winger with different characteristics”. Deulofeu, capable of playing anywhere across the front three, certainly fits the bill and he has been in fine form, but a new injury means a move is no longer possible.

Fabrizio Romano reported this morning: “No transfer will happen in January for Gerard Deulofeu. Surgery needed for former Watford and Barça player after new injury — no chance for deadline move. Deulofeu was on the list at Aston Villa and more clubs but he’s going to stay at Udinese.”

It had previously been reported that Deulofeu had a “rich offer in hand” of around €4 million per year from Villa, with Emery’s team willing to fork out nearly €20 million for his services. The Lions will have to look elsewhere now, though, with Emery still desperate to bring in a new wide forward.

Who are the Deulofeu alternatives?

Last week, a club-record bid of £45 million was attempted as Villa met the release clause of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, but the 20-year-old wonderkid is happy in Spain. Real Betis ace Luiz Henrique, who has been linked with Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle United, is another name to have surfaced.

Henrique, a 22-year-old Brazilian who can play on either flank, is probably the priority target now a deal for Deulofeu is off the cards. He is likely to cost in excess of €50 million (£44 million), however, which could make a January move tricky. Out-of-sorts Chelsea wide man Hakim Ziyech is another player spoken about.