Transfer expert Graeme Bailey has shared his verdict on Aston Villa’s start to the summer transfer window.
Unai Emery and Monchi have a clear plan to bolster Aston Villa’s squad ahead of next season.
The Villans will play alongside Europe’s elite after qualifying for the 2024/25 Champions League and will need the squad to match.
So far, the Spanish duo have welcomed five new faces, with several other top talents poised to arrive at Bodymoor Heath in the coming days.
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Transfer expert analyses Aston Villa business amid Amadou Onana and Jaden Philoegene speculation
Ian Maatsen, Samuel Iling-Junior, Ross Barkley, Lewis Dobbin and Enzo Barrenechea have been confirmed as new signings for Villa, with Amadou Onana and Jaden Philogene close to being unveiled.
The Villans are poised to pay £50m to acquire Onana from Everton, with Philogene set to return to the club just a year after his departure to Hull City.
There has been a lot to unpack so early into the window at Villa Park, with HITC journalist Graeme Bailey exclusively discussing Villa’s business so far with Aston Villa News.
The transfer expert explained that he expects one capture to shine next season, but has dubbed another target a “risk”.
“Aston Villa are all in on Emery and Monchi, as they should be and they have taken some chances this summer with allowing Douglas Luiz to leave.
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“Luiz was outstanding but they have gone with Amadou Onana, the Everton midfielder who has yet to hit the promised heights in the Premier League, he has everything in his locker to be one of the very best, and clearly Emery thinks he can unlock his vast potential but it is a risk.”
Bailey went on to pinpoint Maatsen as being a potential area of success next term however, saved his top praise for 22-year-old Philogene.
“Ian Maatsen on the other hand is not [a risk], a brilliant talent who will make Villa better even though Lucas Digne was very good last season.
“And Philogene – despite having Bailey, Diaby, Rogers – Philogene’s ceiling is crazy – he is special and he could be the pick of the bunch for them long-term.”
Philogene backed to go straight to the top at Villa
After leaving Villa last summer to join Hull City on a permanent basis, it didn’t take long for Emery and Monchi to want to exercise their right to match any bid for the winger.
As Ipswich Town thought they were closing in on the Championship star, Villa intercepted the deal, with Philogene said to have completed a medical on Monday [15th July].
Last campaign, the Bodymoor Heath graduate contributed to 18 goals in 32 Championship appearances for the Tigers, flexing his potential to his former club.
Now, the Englishman will have the opportunity to grab senior football at Villa with both hands, in what is set to be a crucial campaign for the dynamic wide player.
Emery saw how beneficial unlocking Leon Bailey’s traditional style of wing play was last season, with the Jamaican’s threat now able to be mirrored on the left through Philogene.
It’s an extremely exciting time for Villa, who have orchestrated a magnificent transfer window so far, with plenty of movement still expected before deadline day.
