Aston Villa have activated the matching rights in Jaden Philogene’s contract as several clubs close in on the 22-year-old.
The transfer window continues to heat up for Aston Villa, as Unai Emery and Monchi have made yet another move in the market.
Already, the Villans have orchestrated eight deals, with five arriving at Villa Park and three departing ahead of next season.
The latest news surrounds the future of former Villa starlet Jaden Philogene, who is a wanted man this summer after impressing in the Championship last term.
- READ MORE: Aston Villa could re-sign ‘ridiculous’ player Emery sold last summer as transfer clause ‘activated’
How Unai Emery and Aston Villa feel about Jaden Philogene as matching rights clause is activated
The 22-year-old left Villa to join Hull City last summer and now looks set for a Premier League return in some capacity.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Villa have decided to activate their right to match the offer presented to Hull City to buy back Philogene, giving the player the power over his future.
The clause means that if Hull now receive any higher bids, it will be up to Villa to decide whether to continue their pursuit of reclaiming the forward.
It’s interesting for Villa, who could re-sign Philogene, with journalist Jacob Tanswell providing an insight into what Emery and the club really think of the starlet.
On X, The Athletic journalist insisted that the Spaniard is now ‘prioritising’ the winger, adding that ‘personal terms were pre-agreed’ at the point of the player’s exit.
It’s a significant development in the race to sign the Hull City star, who could now make a dramatic return to Villa Park less than 12 months after his exit.
Philogene holds the power over his future
It’s been a chaotic start to the summer for the 22-year-old, who should have expected the have his future debated about ahead of 2024/25.
Last season, the Villa academy jewel shone at Hull City, contributing to 18 goals in 32 Championship appearances for the Tigers.
While the versatile forward only managed to secure six senior appearances for the Villans during his time at the club, it’s now hinted that he could make a further impact now his game has developed.
Given Tanswell’s insight into how Villa feel about the former Bodymoor Heath sensation, it will be interesting to see just how the saga unfolds, and whether Emery sees the winger as part of his immediate plans.
