Aston Villa summer transfer attempt offers ‘very interesting arguments’

Steven Gerrard will look to build on a successful January transfer window when the summer arrives
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After a busy January transfer window, Steven Gerrard is unlikely to show any signs of slowing down when the next transfer season comes around in the summer.

With signings of such magnitude, Philippe Coutinho coming as the biggest surprise, Gerrard will hope to maximise his funds in order to make Aston Villa a serious contender for those top spots in the Premier League.

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With two wins in the past five games, Gerrard will need to rouse his troops with greater fervour if they are to hold off against the close proximity of the teams below. Sitting on the same number of points as Crystal Palace and Leicester City, Villa must bring back the performances that brought them up to 13th in the league.

With a game in hand compared to Palace, Villa would do very well to help secure their chances of staying in the Premier League and live without fear of relegation if they can put on strong performances against Southampton on Saturday 5 March and Leeds United on Thursday 10 March.

With Gerrard already looking ahead to a busy summer, here is all the latest news from Aston Villa…

Villa linked with Phillips

Birmingham Live have floated the idea of Villa looking at Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips in the summer.

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The England international has been one of Leeds’ star players this season, along with Brazilian winger Raphinha, and as such is unlikely to stay with the northern side past this summer if their lack of success continues.

With Villa also having been unable to fill the vacancy left by the injured Marvelous Nakamba, the Midlands club will undoubtedly be making a play for a new midfielder before the next season starts.

The site recently stated: “Kalvin Phillips is an interesting one now off the back of Bielsa’s sacking.

“As we know, Villa have long been admirers of the England midfielder. I’m expecting a summer of big change, Gerrard’s already hinted at that.”

Villa hopeful of AS Roma and AC Milan signing

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Steven Gerrard may reportedly trigger a clause in Robin Olsen’s contract hoping to keep the Swedish goalkeeper at Villa Park rather than send him back to AS Roma.

Additionally, Gerrard will also look to the Italian Serie A in the hope of signing Franck Kessie.

Sport Witness has reported on both matters citing their sources as Gazzetta dello Sport and Calciomercato respectively.

Olsen had been on loan at Sheffield United from the Italian capital team when Gerrard noted him before Christmas.

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The former England star then decided to bring the 32-year-old Swede in to provide competition for the Argentinian goalie Emiliano Martinez and while there was no mention of an option to buy when the loan was announced, the Italian journalist Gianluca di Marzio reported that the permanent move clause stood at €3.5m,

The Italian news site has said that when looking at all the players Roma have on loan, ‘not even Robin Olsen will return, on loan with a right of redemption’ at Villa Park.

It is yet to be seen whether Gerrard will fork out the required fee, but if he does, Villa will have a very decent backup for their Argentinian goalie.

Kessie has reportedly had proposals from fellow Premier League sides Everton and Arsenal, although he is yet to be convinced into a move.

Kessie has received offers from Arsenal, Everton, Barcelona and now VillaKessie has received offers from Arsenal, Everton, Barcelona and now Villa
Kessie has received offers from Arsenal, Everton, Barcelona and now Villa
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The La Liga side Barcelona have also intensified their talks with the midfielder, who is out of contract in June, but the Italian news outlet Calciomercato have suggested that they are now joined by Villa.

Claims have been made saying Barcelona are ‘on pole’ and their project appeals to the Ivory Coast International but there isn’t anything ‘imminent’ to close the deal and the Spanish’s side deal is ‘not the most attractive’.

Kessie has been suggested to be looking into an offer ‘precisely from Aston Villa’ as Gerrard’s team have ‘presented very interesting arguments’.

The website continues by saying Kessie will take ‘a few more days to decide on his future because then there will be no time for regrets’.

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