Aston Villa have been dealt a late blow in the transfer window as one of their key targets is set to sign a new contract.
A big few days for Aston Villa is on the horizon. Unai Emery is currently looking to sign a right-back and the injury to Matty Cash has only heightened the need to strengthen that position.
Lutsharel Geertruida is the main target on their radar. The 24-year-old Feyenoord defender is on standby to fly to England and complete a medical before deadline day.
The arrival of the powerful Dutchman, who scored eight and assisted five goals in 2023/24, would kill two birds with one stone as he’s capable of playing as a right-back or centre-back.
Whilst there is now confidence that Geetruida will join Villa and their depth at right-back will be resolved, there is one target they can firmly cross off the list.
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Aston Villa target Denzel Dumfries now set for new Inter Milan contract
Aston Villa entered the conversation to sign Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries earlier this summer as they sought an improvement on Cash.
The experienced Dutch international was entering the final year of his contract and in June, it was reported that Villa lead the race to sign Dumfries.
The 28-year-old was valued at £26 million and it appeared Inter were willing to cash in on their ‘incredible’ wing-back as contract negotiations were at a halt.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Dumfries is close to signing a new contract with the Italian giants as there are only some finer details to discuss, including a release clause.
For Villa, rumours of them signing the powerful Dutchman can be firmly put to bed and they can instead fully focus on other deals.
What Aston Villa must do before Deadline Day
Wrapping up a deal for Geertruida, first and foremost, is the most important piece of business Villa can do before Friday’s deadline.
Failure to sign the Dutch international, or an alternative in his position, would be a catastrophe. Following the injury to Cash, Emery only has 18-year-old Kosta Nedeljkovic to pick from at right back.
Although the young Serbian performed admirably against Arsenal, the Villa boss shouldn’t need to rely on a teenager to bail him out and instead, needs to sign a first-choice in that position.
Once a deal for a right-back is wrapped up, Emery can turn his attention to other positions, perhaps addressing the lack of depth up front.
Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins could lend more support at striker, so if the right player becomes available, they could land a new centre-forward.
Likewise, now that links to Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling are dead in the water, don’t rule out Villa moving onto another target for the wing with a fascinating end to the summer transfer window in store.
