Wolves target to replace Max Kilman 'could re-emerge' as Aston Villa plan to 'showcase ambition' in January

The Premier League returns this weekend and there’s a lot at stake for plenty of clubs as we approach the end of the year. Aston Villa have a big chance to close the gap on the top four but they are also relying on those above them to drop points.

With 19 points in the bank, they are behind Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference. Meanwhile, Wolves are hovering just above the bottom three and risk slipping back into the relegation zone if they can’t get a result against Bournemouth.

With just weeks left of 2024, the countdown to the January transfer window is on. Here’s a look at some of the latest transfer headlines for Wolves and Aston Villa.

Wolves target to replace Kilman ‘could re-emerge’

Wolves are still looking to sign a replacement for Max Kilman following his summer move to rivals West Ham. After failing to bring in a suitable option during the same window, it is now an ‘immediate priority’ for Gary O’Neil’s side and their primary focus will be on recruiting a central defender in the coming months.

That’s according to The Athletic, who report that Switzerland international Nico Elvedi is one of Wolves’ ‘longer-standing targets’ and he could ‘re-emerge’ as a possibility in 2025. The Borussia Monchengladbach defender is under contract in Germany until 2027 and his ‘attractive’ release clause during the summer window has now expired.

Elvedi’s release clause was believed to be £8 million but with a Transfermarkt value of a similar amount, Wolves may still opt to make a move for the 28-year-old to bolster their backline. O’Neil’s side have conceded more goals than any other Premier League side so far this season, so getting their hands on new defensive recruits has become the main focus of their transfer strategy.

Villa ‘closing in’ on midfielder

Aston Villa have recently been linked with Werder Bremen’s Romano Schmid and according to a new report from Football Insider, they are now ‘closing in’ on a potential move. As Unai Emery looks to push his side to become regular top four contenders, they are planning to ‘showcase their ambition’ in the January transfer window.

Florian Plettenberg initially credited Villa with their interest in Schmid, reporting that they had made ‘concrete enquiries’ over a winter move. Priced at just €10 million (£8.3m), the 24-year-old is a target for a number of clubs but Villa are firmly on the radar.

However, a January move may not be on the cards. Werder Bremen’s sporting director has spoken publicly about Villa’s interest and suggested that a new year switch is unlikely but it ‘could be an option’ to oversee a deal in the summer.