Former Aston Villa winger Jaden Philogene has been the centre of transfer speculation this season.
Villa have a well-documented £15million buy-back option that can be activated if Philogene’s current employers, Hull City, are promoted to the Premier League.
On the clause, Hull vice-chairman Tan Kesler said (via TeamTalk): “He’s not their player; he’s a Hull City player for sure, that I can tell you for sure.
“I’ve been open from the beginning and also you need to know that if we [are] promoted Villa have agreed to a buy back but only if we [are] promoted and we’re in the Premier League.
“They still have to agree with the player and – and this is very important – they still have to match if we receive another offer [from a rival club].”
The 22-year-old joined the Tigers in a reported £5million deal last summer and has netted eight goals and registered six assists in 22 Championship appearances.
Unsurprisingly, the winger has attracted attention.
TeamTalk reports that Tottenham are in the hunt to sign the former Villa youngster and that the North Londoners are leading the race.
It’s not just Premier League interest; Villa’s Conference League opponents are now reportedly monitoring developments.
Ajax monitor former Aston Villa youngster
According to the Daily Mail’s Tom Collomosse, the Eredivisie giants are keeping tabs on the Hull City star.
He wrote (via his personal X account): “Ajax are among the clubs monitoring the progress of Jaden Philogene, who has been impressive for Hull after leaving Aston Villa last summer.
He added: “Villa have a buy-back option on Philiogene at £15m – Hull would want more to sell him.”
Should Aston Villa pursue Philogene amid Ajax links?
There’s no doubt Philogene has impressed during his time on Humberside, but it’s important to remember that Villa sold him for a reason.
His loan spell with Cardiff City wasn’t the most eye-catching, and for Villa to temp Hull into a £5million purchase could have been viewed as shrewd business at the time.
The opening two-thirds of the season have been the best of his short career; his goal against Rotherham certainly alerted most of Europe to his talents.
Yet, forking out £15million plus on a player sold less than a year ago seems like a rash move. Furthermore, with there perhaps a need to sell during the summer, it is doubtful that Villa will pursue the buy-back agreement.
