Aston Villa are now ready to dip into the transfer market after Matty Cash was substituted with a hamstring injury in the 2-0 defeat against Arsenal.
Cash was forced off in the 15th minute as the Poland international clutched his hamstring and was replaced by 18-year-old Kosta Nedeljkovic.
Scans later showed that Cash would be sidelined for a month and will now miss at least four games for Aston Villa, with Unai Emery’s transfer priority now made clear.
Villa only have Nedeljkovic as their only natural right-back option. Of course, Ezri Konsa can play there but Emery now prefers to use the England international as a centre-back instead.
It means Aston Villa must sign one of their key defensive targets ahead of Deadline Day, with the Birmingham outfit ‘pushing’ to land a player of immense value.
Aston Villa are pushing to sign Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertruida
Lutsharel Geertruida emerged as a defensive target for Emery when it became clear that improvements to his back line were needed.
Geertruida commands a £30 million transfer fee and his arrival would kill two birds with one stone, as the powerful Dutchman can play as a centre-back or right-back.
The 24-year-old was initially shortlisted as a primary target however, now that Cash is out of action for a month, Villa are ‘pushing’ to sign the ‘sublime’ Feyenoord defender.
That is according to journalist Matt Maher, who claims that ‘talks are ongoing’ between the two clubs with the Villans ‘keen’ on getting a deal over the line.
Time is running out in that regard as it’s three days till the transfer window shuts on Friday but the transfer is of paramount importance to Villa above all.
Lutsharel Geertruida is the most important transfer for Villa this week
Villa’s defensive depth is down to the bare bones as Monchi and Emery have focused on improving their midfield and attack as opposed to an issue they had last term.
The Villans conceded 61 goals in the Premier League in 2023/24, a total bettered by relegation-threatened Everton.
So, it is a surprise to see the Spanish tactician sign just one defender currently, with Ian Maatsen arriving from Chelsea.
That only increases the importance of landing Geertruida from the Eredivisie, whose ability to play in multiple positions is much-needed for Emery.
Villa arguably also need to sign another defensive player on top of the Dutchman before the window slams shut however, now that talks are ongoing between the two clubs, they shouldn’t have any problems signing Geertruida this week.
Then, it will be interesting to see whether the Villans have any other tricks up their sleeve, particularly in attacking areas.
