Aston Villa have now been pushed out of the race to sign one transfer target this summer, despite Unai Emery being an admirer.
Nine moves have already happened at Aston Villa this summer, with five arrivals and four exits to report so far.
Unai Emery’s list of acquisitions is set to grow this week by two, as Jaden Philogene and Amadou Onana look poised to complete their moves to Villa Park.
More activity is expected before deadline day, however, Villa now look to be all but out of the race to sign one transfer target.
- READ MORE: Potential Aston Villa XI with Amadou Onana after £50m transfer with key squad member axed
Aston Villa now unlikely to sign transfer target Conor Gallagher from Chelsea
During the summer, Villa have been linked to Conor Gallagher, who looks likely to leave Chelsea this year.
The Englishman has just returned from Euro 2024 with England and will soon begin his hunt for a new club, as he enters the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
While Villa have been credited with an interest in the midfielder in the past, an update from The Athletic has suggested that the club are now ‘highly unlikely’ to strike a deal for the 24-year-old.
- READ MORE: Dan Bardell reveals the area that Aston Villa are now ‘looking so strong’ after summer business
The report details that while Chelsea are ‘preparing for potential suitors’ for Gallagher, Villa’s admiration for the player is ‘unlikely to lead to an approach’.
It’s believed that the Blues value their academy graduate between £40m and £50m, with Tottenham ‘likely to make a move’.
A move certainly looks to be on the cards for the impressive midfielder however, seeing the player in claret and blue next season now seems to be doubtful.
Unai Emery wanted to sign Gallagher at Villa
As Villa move closer to confirming the signing of Amadou Onana from Everton, it is unsurprising to learn that Gallagher is now out of the picture.
However, what is surprising is that the Villans chose the Everton midfielder over the Englishman, given the Villa boss’ admiration for the player.
Last month, Jacob Tanswell relayed that Emery ‘really likes’ Gallagher, explaining how his playing style is something that the Spaniard appreciates amid links to the Chelsea star.
After losing Douglas Luiz, it was always expected that Villa would recruit a new central midfielder with a defensive edge, concluding in Onana being the best fit for what Emery currently needs.
Both players have Premier League experience in playing the defensive midfield role however, are opposing in their approach, with a lot of Villa’s interest in Gallagher believed to be founded on Emery’s appreciation.
Sporting a £50m price tag, it was somewhat obvious that Villa would not hover around the Chelsea midfielder’s radar for long after striking a deal with the Toffees for Onana.
