Aston Villa eye sponsors and reinforcements amid Watkins links
Villa, Liverpool and Man United are linked with Inter’s Denzel Dumfries, who could be available for about £22m.
Villa are plotting a £25m move for Leeds centre back Pascal Struijk. Leeds want £35-40m and hope to keep him, but his contract expires next year and relegation could force a sale.
Report claims AC Milan are ‘strongly courting’ Ollie Watkins despite a dip this season. Newcastle are also linked. Watkins is under contract until 2028 after 17g/14a last term and 10g/2a this.
Opinion piece says Morgan Rogers is in a slump for Villa and England, nine games without a goal involvement after a poor display vs Japan, raising form and summer sale questions despite a 2031 deal.
Simon Jordan highlights Villa’s £38.4m agent fees against modest transfer spend, arguing they merit scrutiny. He says Champions League qualification is vital to sustain Emery’s project under PSR limits.
Villa eye Famalicao centre-back Ibrahima Ba, 20, after his breakout in Primeira Liga. Fee said to be €10m amid interest from Porto, Sporting, Benfica and Braga as Emery plans defensive refresh.
Amadou Onana scored v USA but struggled v Mexico, completing only 14% passes into the final third and winning no duels off the bench. Emery may demand improvements as Villa chase top four and face Bologna.
Right back Kosta Nedeljković will return to Villa after an injury-hit loan at RB Leipzig. He played 297 minutes, is behind Baku and Henrichs, and Leipzig will not trigger the €10m option.
Villa tease Coca-Cola in a sponsored post as they hunt a new front-of-shirt sponsor to replace Betano. Champions League revenue boosts finances, with Villa targeting a higher-value deal.
Villa target Alejandro Balde, 22, is not considering leaving Barcelona. Deco and Hansi Flick want him to stay and his deal runs to 2028. Barca could sell for funds, but agent Jorge Mendes must shift stance.
