Aston Villa summer signing 'exploring' loan transfer options just 50 days after arrival

According to The Athletic’s Aston Villa reporter Jacob Tanswell, he is looking at his options ahead of this summer’s transfer deadline on August 30. No decision has been made yet and he will only depart Villa Park if the move is right for him.

Iling-Junior and his former Juventus teammate Enzo Barrenechea were left out of the match-day squad for the 2-1 win over West Ham on Saturday. The competition for places is high, and John McGinn started over him in Unai Emery’s preferred position of number 10. Iling-Junior can also play at left-back, but Lucas Digne started before being replaced by Ian Maatsen. 

The 22-year-old was part of a £22m double swoop this summer by Aston Villa with Argentine midfielder Barrenechea also heading to Villa Park. Douglas Luiz went the other way in a deal worth €50 million.

If Iling-Junior were to depart albeit on loan, he would be the third summer signing to already depart the club this summer. Lewis Dobbin signed from Everton for a reported fee of around £10m but was loaned out to Midlands rivals West Brom. Last week, Cameron Archer after being re-signed from Sheffield United because of a transfer clause was sold to Southampton for £15 million.

According to The Athletic’s report, loan move away could accelerate Iling-Junior’s development, but it is stated that it must be the right move for him and Villa. If a move fails to materialise he will have a job on his hands to force his way into the first-team but with the club involved in various competitions including the UEFA Champions League, rotation will be key, and that is where he could benefit.

Before making the move to Villa, Iling-Junior was mainly used as a substitute at Juventus, and so there might not have been an expectation on the England youth international to force his way straight away in to the first-team. He was used a substitute in 20 out of 34 squads he made last season, and made 27 appearances in total.