Aston Villa expect plenty of activity before the transfer window slams shut as one of their forgotten stars reveals which club he wants to join.
Aston Villa are soaking in the excitement from their Champions League draw but know that a pivotal end to the transfer window awaits.
Unai Emery and Monchi completed most of their business early this summer after selling Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby.
Seven new players arrived, and while that is a solid total, the Villa boss still needs to bolster his defence before time runs out.
Feyenoord’s Lutsharel Geertruida is a player they’re desperate to sign, especially after the injury to Matty Cash, but it has emerged that Aston Villa must sell three of their first-team players to afford the £30 million asking price for Geertruida, and one of those is Leander Dendoncker.
- READ MORE: Who is Lutsharel Geertruida? ‘Heroic’ Dutch international who has piqued Aston Villa’s interest
Aston Villa’s Leander Dendoncker wants to join Anderlecht before Transfer Deadline Day
The writing is on the wall for Dendoncker’s Villa career as he seeks an exit route out of the club. Emery has made it clear this summer and previously that he doesn’t see the Belgium international as a part of his plans.
Therefore, after being signed by Steven Gerrard in the summer of 2022, the 29-year-old is poised to leave before transfer deadline day.
Spanish side Las Palmas were the first to contact Villa over a move for Dendoncker, but his £90k-a-week wages are a huge stumbling block, as that figure is beyond their realms financially.
Now, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Belgian Pro League side Anderlecht are interested in signing Dendoncker and talks over a move are underway.
Tavolieri reveals that his preference is to return to the side where he started his career, with the all-action midfielder previously playing 171 times for the Belgian outfit, and scoring 11 goals.
- READ MORE: Latest Aston Villa transfer development highlights just how much they were fleeced for Douglas Luiz
What could happen at Aston Villa before the window shuts
To complete a deal for Geertruida, Villa are looking to sell or loan three of their players, with Enzo Barrenechea (loan), Dendoncker and Diego Carlos all poised to leave.
Once the ball is moving on the exit front and further space is created in Emery’s squad, the chances of signing Geertruida will increase, and he’s the most important piece of the transfer jigsaw.
The 24-year-old isn’t the only player the Villans could eye before the clock strikes 11 pm on Friday, as depth on the wings could be sourced.
Villa were plotting a shock transfer for Raheem Sterling last week but a move for the Englishman is now dead in the water.
It therefore wouldn’t be a surprise to see Emery capture an experienced wideman to provide competition for Jacob Ramsey, Leon Bailey and co.
Those are the two key positions that could or should be improved, with a last-minute move for a striker certainly not beyond the realm of possibility as well.
