Aston Villa are already preparing for the new season with pre-season now underway for those not involved in Euro 2024 or Copa América. Unai Emery will be ramping up his side’s fitness preparations in a bid to get them ready for what will be a tricky season due to competing in both the Premier League and Champions League.
New recruits will be required this summer, but Emery has already said that the additions could be few and far between, given the money spent last summer and the confidence he already has in his current group. In any case, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Vlla Park.
Pavlovic latest
Villa are said to have fallen behind in the race to land Serbia Strahinja Pavlovic, with Chelsea said to be leading the way. The Blues are bidding to replace veteran defender Thiago SIlva, and they appear to have identified the Serbia centre-back as the best option.
The Red Bull Salzburg star will reportedly command a fee worth around £25million, and Brentford are said to have entered talks, with Villa and Newcastle United reportedly showing interest. Though, the latest report claims Chelsea will march ahead of everyone as they step up their efforts to land a central defender.
Huijsen asking price
Another defender being linked with Villa is Juventus starlet Dean Huijsen, who impressed on loan with Roma last term. The 19-year-old reportedly wants to stay in Turin, but the Old Lady may need to sell as they look to bolster their squad.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus want between £25.4m and £29.6m to agree a sale, and there are clubs in England, Germany and Italy reportedly interested. Asked about his future amid his return to Juventus, the defender said in May: “I only know that when they offered me to go to Roma I really liked the idea, because it’s a great club and then if someone like Mourinho calls you it’s difficult to say no.
“I thought that if they called me it was because they were in need of my help. Then I conquered the rest. every minute played is the result of work and sacrifice. From Mourinho to De Rossi, I adapted quickly to the change, also because these are two exceptional managers and people. I’m surrounded by great teammates: I have fun, I learn a lot. My future? Roma has no buy option. But I learned one thing from football, you never know what can happen. What is certain is that I will return to Juventus and I will make myself available. It’s the first big club that believed in me, I can only have words of gratitude for them.”
Konsa praise
Villa man Ezri Konsa played a key role in England’s narrow victory over Switzerland on penalties in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. The Three Lions were far from impressive as a collective, Konsa helped keep the back three pretty stable on the whole.
BBC pundit Micah Richards said of the Villa man’s performance: “Can you control your nerves? Can you do the basics very well? And he has done all of these things. I just think his overall game has been fantastic. He has been excellent, he really has.”
Alan Shearer added: “Brilliant from Ezri Konsa, he wasn’t being bullied. He had to be strong and stand up, if he didn’t that would have been in the back of the net.”
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