'Negotiations underway' as Everton begin shock swoop for £15m Aston Villa star

Negotiations are reportedly underway between Everton and Aston Villa over a permanent move for winger Jaden Philogene.

The Villans only re-signed the 22-year-old from Hull City in the summer but Unai Emery has decided he’s no longer needed at the club. Everton, one of the clubs interested in Philogene before he went back to Villa Park, are hoping to make their swoop stick this time around.

Transfer news specialist Fabrizio Romano reports Everton have “opened talks” to sign Philogene. It’s stated the Toffees would prefer a permanent transfer rather than a six-month loan, so that’s the approach being pursued. Negotiations are already underway as both clubs try to find a resolution.

It’s been a turbulent few years for Philogene as he took a while to break through as a Villa academy product and was loaned out to Stoke City and Cardiff City before his permanent switch to Hull in September 2023. That deal, for just £5 million, included a 20 per cent sell-on fee for Villa as well as a £15 million buy-back clause.

As the Villans were the ones to sign Philogene next, they managed to secure the winger’s services for a discounted £13.5 million to compensate for the sell-on. Emery admitted he’d made a mistake letting Philogene leave permanently in the first place but it’s not quite worked out since his return, far from as romantic as any party would’ve hoped.

Philogene has accumulated just 535 minutes from 15 appearances across all competitions so far this season, with just four starts. The speedy winger was in the XI for the famous 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League but he’s failed to display any real consistency.

Emery has preferred the likes of Leon Bailey, Morgan Rogers, Jacob Ramsey and John McGinn in the wide areas as Philogene has often lacked confidence when given opportunities. Taking on his man was instinctive in the Championship for Hull but he’s become far more hesitant since his return to Villa.

It was hoped he’d bounce back following the settling period but there’s not much sign of an improvement six months on from his transfer. Everton could perhaps breathe new life into Philogene, giving the England Under-21 international more consistent game time to make his mark.

Philogene nearly has green light for Everton transfer

If and when Villa have completed the signing of Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund, Philogene will be completely available for transfer. The Villans have already agreed personal terms with Malen but negotiations are still ongoing over the fee.

Villa have already seen an offer of around £18 million rejected, while Dortmund are holding out for closer to £25 million. It’s hoped a compromise can be found shortly so Malen can arrive in time to help Villa throughout their busy January schedule.

The 25-year-old attacker has scored 39 goals in 131 games in all competitions for Dortmund, three of which have come this campaign. Malen helped BVB reach the Champions League final last year - and he appeared in that crunch clash off the bench - but they were beaten in the final by Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium.