For Aston Villa, the 2022/2023 season was a two-half story that showed how good a coach Unai Emery is, after taking the team from the relegation zone under manager Steven Gerrard to competing for the top six. By the end of the season, Villa managed to nab a Europa Conference League spot and will be making a comeback in the continental tournament since 2010.
With over 44 matches awaiting them in the upcoming 2023/2024 season, Villa’s head coach Unai Emery will be busy strengthening his squad in this summer transfer window. In the last transfer window, Emery signed Jhon Duran and Alex Moreno as the only two additions to the team, with Danny Ings leaving for West Ham through a £15 million loan. Morgan Sanson, Marvelous Nakamba, and Cameron Archer also left on loan, as Ludwig Augustinsson and Jan Bednarek’s loan spells were cut short.
In this summer transfer window, Aston Villa plans to make a move on Unai Emery’s ambitious targets, as the Spaniard is keen on improving all departments of his team. However, Emery doesn’t plan to overhaul his squad in one transfer window. So, which players are Aston Villa hoping to sign or sell ahead of the upcoming 2023/2024?
Possible Aston Villa sales
While Aston Villa doesn’t have the best track record in selling players, Unai Emery is expected to sell several fringe players this summer, hoping to bring some cash to the club. With that in mind, punters are already looking for new platforms to wager on future Villa signings. But why bet at new sportsbooks? Well, new sites have unique betting markets, ranging from transfer market prospects to match goal scorers.
Boubacar Kamara
At 23 years, Boubacar Kamara is among the best midfielders in the Aston Villa squad. The French international has been a huge presence in Villa’s squad since he joined them from Marseille through a free transfer last summer.
Throughout his 24 EPL appearances, the Aston Villa ace has recorded an 85% pass completion rate, successfully completed 57% dribbles, registered one assist, and won most of his aerial duels. That proves he’s a reliable defensive player and Liverpool has already shown interest in signing him. Kamara seems like a promising prospect for Liverpool following the exit of Fabinho from Anfield.
Emiliano Martinez
After joining Aston Villa from Arsenal two summers ago, Emiliano Martinez has miraculously revived his career. While Emiliano’s career seemed to be fizzling into nothing when he left Arsenal, the World-cup winning goalkeeper is now considered one of the best keepers in the world. The Argentine international took home the Golden Glove at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, making him a man in demand.
Reportedly, Chelsea has taken a keen interest in the Argentine international, and Aston Villa may let him go for £24 million during the summer transfer window. While it won’t be easy to convince Aston Villa to trade Martinez, Chelsea needs to sign a strong goalkeeper this summer following the unflattering form of Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga in recent times.
Possible Aston Villa Signings
Jeremy Doku – Rennes to Aston Villa
Despite their initial bid being rejected, Aston Villa will be making another move for Belgian winger Jeremy Doku, currently playing for Rennes. Villa has already reached a price tag (£30 million) for the Frenchman with the German club, as coach Unai Emery hopes to have more attacking options. The Rennes forward has recorded 11 goals in 90 games over three seasons playing in France and he has attracted the attention of several teams, including Liverpool.
Moussa Diaby – Bayer Leverkusen to Aston Villa
Having signed Pau Torres and Youri Teilemans in their team this summer, Aston Villa is also hoping to get the services of Moussa Diaby next season. The Bayern Leverkusen winger has rejected a huge money deal from Saudi Arabia side, Al-Nassr, and hopes to move to Aston Villa through a £50 million deal. The deal will make Diaby Aston Villa’s most expensive acquisition in history.
Once the deal to sign Diaby is complete, PSG will receive £6 million from the proceeds to fulfill the sell-on clause they included when trading him to Leverkusen. Reportedly, Villa will take in the 24-year-old under a five-year contract, hoping he will strengthen the team’s attack.
Pedro Goncalves – Sporting CP to Aston Villa
While Aston Villa hasn’t submitted an official bid for Sporting Cp midfielder Pedro Goncalves, Unai Emery is keen on signing the midfielder. However, Aston Villa is reluctant to pay the £68 million stipulated by his release clause.
Meanwhile, Sporting CP are worried that a transfer will only become a reality if they trigger the player’s release clause. Unfortunately, Aston Villa isn’t willing to pay the steep fee and would only spend about £ 34 million. However, the Lions aren’t in a hurry to sell another player after the departure of Manuel Ugarte.
Giovani Lo Ceslo – Tottenham to Aston Villa
Aston Villa is reportedly very interested in signing Tottenham’s midfielder Giovani Lo Ceslo. The 27-year-old played for La Liga team Villarreal on loan last season and Unai Emery hopes to bring him to Villa Park this summer.
Coach Unai Emery has previously worked with Giovani, having had the Tottenham star during the second half of the 2021-2022 EPL season. Emery also spent a prolonged time with the Argentine midfielder while playing for Paris Saint-Germain where Lo Ceslo played 48 games in the 2017/2018 season.
