Aston Villa have sprung a surprise in the transfer market as they look to have secured the signing of Jaden Philogene from Hull City having only sold the youngster last summer.
Aston Villa included numerous clauses in the £5m sale of Jaden Philogene to last summer, implying that they were keen to keep some control over the 22-year-old’s future.
When Ipswich Town bid £18 million to sign Philogene from Hull, Villa acted quickly to trigger a clause that allowed them to match any bid for the winger and now appear to have secured the return of the player they allowed to leave a year ago.
In doing so, Unai Emery will now welcome his sixth signing of the summer and Philogene’s arrival leaves Villa stacked with options in wide areas.
- READ MORE: How Unai Emery really feels about Jaden Philogene transfer after Aston Villa activate clause
With that in mind, perhaps there is more to the deal than meets the eye and Philogene’s arrival could actually see Emery sanction the sale of a player attracting interest from Saudi Arabia.
Could Jaden Philogene actually be a Moussa Diaby replacement?
Philogene enjoyed a fine season in the Championship with Hull, scoring 12 and assisting a further six in 32 league appearances.
Therefore, it is no surprise that there was interest in his signature this summer, with Everton eyeing a move as well as Ipswich.
However, Villa have acted decisively to ensure he should instead make a return to Villa Park and that could hint that the club could consider selling Moussa Diaby with interest from Saudi Arabia intensifying.
Villa beat Saudi clubs to sign Diaby for a club record fee of £51.9 million last summer but could recoup that fee immediately with Al-Ittihad having “strong” interest in a move for the Frenchman according to Foot Mercato.
With Morgan Rogers and Leon Bailey now being joined by new signings Philogene, Samuel Iling-Junior and Lewis Dobbin, this flurry of wingers being signed could be a clue that Villa are ready to listen to offers for Diaby.
Perhaps Philogene’s availability has proven too good for Villa to avoid and, with assurances sought by the player prior to making the move, he could have been earmarked as a cut-price Diaby alternative.
Aston Villa could regret selling Moussa Diaby
Whilst Philogene, Iling-Junior and Dobbin are all clearly talented, they are all far from the finished product.
- READ MORE: Aston Villa target has one key trait similar to Samuel Iling-Junior that shows Emery has clear plan
Diaby had a decent first season in England last time out, scoring ten and assisting nine in all competitions whilst forming a good partnership with Ollie Watkins.
He is likely to be better for having a year working with Emery under his belt too, so Villa supporters may well see an improved Diaby if he gets a second campaign at Villa Park.
Alan Shearer spoke on Diaby after Villa thrashed Brighton 6-1 early in the season, saying on The Rest is Football podcast:
“I do think that Diaby has been a game changer for them because of his pace up front, because of how they can sit back and soak up a bit of pressure but then, once they win that ball back, because of his pace and his ability to get in behind, then I think he’s been a game changer for them and he’s certainly helping Ollie Watkins be a better player.”
If Villa do sanction the sale of the talented 25-year-old they could live to regret it when they need that extra bit of quality in the Champions League so fans will be hoping this is not the plan.
