While football fans are soaking up the action on display at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, scouts at leading clubs in the Premier League are also monitoring performances at the tournament, including those from Aston Villa. Given the January transfer window is fast approaching, the club is making funds available to Unai Emery, indicating that several deals could be in the pipeline.
The Spanish coach is keen to bolster the squad with reinforcements in key areas, having already confirmed that signings will be made, as the focus turns towards targets who are better suited to his own tactical and technical preferences. “At the beginning, we are trying to take confidence in the players that we have and help them to get to a higher level. Then we are going to try and add some new players,” he acknowledged, via the Birmingham Mail.
Such an admission has inevitably led to numerous players being linked, inevitably swelling the already growing number of transfer stories appearing in the media of late. Aston Villa will undoubtedly have a shopping list of possible options, including some that Emery himself has suggested. But which targets are the strongest linked, what is the realistic potential of them arriving, and how much would the club need to pay to secure moves?
Emery preparing to raid his former club
No sooner had Aston Villa announced the arrival of Unai Emery from Villarreal, appointed at the end of October following the departure of Steven Gerrard, transfer gossip columnists in Spain began sharpening their pencils. They quickly suggested that once the January window opened, Emery would surely be going ‘fishing’ for signings at his former club. The two primary targets highlighted already are Pau Torres and Yeremy Pino.
Both players are currently part of the Spain squad at the 2022 World Cup, focusing their efforts on the tournament rather than any speculation about their futures. 26-year-old centre-back Torres was already linked with the Premier League last summer, while 20-year-old Pino is widely regarded as one of the hottest properties in La Liga. Famed transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said “it’s not going to be easy” for Villa to sign the duo when asked by GiveMeSport.
Exclusive: Villarreal are considering lowering their asking price for Pau Torres.
It was expected that Pau Torres would move on last summer but as it was he remained without sufficient interest, and Villarreal did not make a significant sale. pic.twitter.com/q5JLHiQwUZ
— Football España (@footballespana_) November 20, 2022
The Italian journalist insisted that any approach for Torres and Pino will be difficult, given these are two highly prized players at Villarreal, who are more than conscious of their worth to the team and economically. Likewise, all Spanish clubs apply release clause valuations, whenever tying down player contracts, which typically sets the benchmark for negotiations when enquiries are made by other clubs.
Pino currently has a contract with Villarreal until 2027, which includes a release clause valuation set at €80 million, suggesting that Aston Villa would have a hard time haggling over the price. Meanwhile, the release clause value of Torres is fixed at €50 million, although that appears to be negotiable right now, making him a potential bargain if a deal can be agreed. Signing both would be a magnificent coup, and Villarreal could be tempted if the price is right.
Busy transfer window expected
Aston Villa will be highly active during the upcoming January transfer window, although whether primary targets end up actually arriving remains another matter entirely. The club ownership does appear willing to back Emery, hopeful the Spaniard can lead the team forward and match long-term ambitions, therefore it seems every effort will be made to aid his cause leading the team.
Once the Premier League resumes over the festive period, potential transfers will obviously be a major talking point amongst fans, carefully following the latest gossip and news for updates. Due to the popularity of transfer speculation, bookies now offer odds for important player moves. Comparing odds and promotions available is always worthwhile, backed by reviews for the most highly recommended UK betting sites via SBO, covering every angle in detail.
Whatever the transfer market brings, there are certainly plenty of interesting options being linked to Aston Villa, which means the next couple of months will be interesting, to say the least. The most important factor will be getting the right deals done, capturing talented players who can help the team improve during the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign, and laying the foundations for seasons to come.