Aston Villa transfer record to fall with Arsenal and Man City raids for hero and flop lined up
Aston Villa are sizing up an impressive double capture of Arsenal and Man City stars, and the latter deal would require their transfer record to fall, per reports.
The effect Unai Emery has had since taking charge at Aston Villa has been nothing short of sensational. Villa were looking over their shoulder when former boss Steven Gerrard was axed on October 20. Emery took the reins and within six months has put the club on the brink of European qualification.
Villa currently sit sixth which could be good enough for a spot in next season’s Europa League. Even if they drop a place, a Europa Conference League campaign would await.
In the event European qualification is secured, Emery will require a plethora of high calibre new arrivals to adequately compete on two fronts.
To that end, Football Insider recently reported Villa are eyeing up Man City’s Kalvin Phillips.
The England international, 27, has barely got a kick since leaving Leeds for the Etihad last summer. Fitness issues have plagued his year, though even with a clean bill of health he’d have struggled to displace Rodri.
FI report Villa have a ‘strong interest’ in bringing Phillips’ failed stint at City to a premature close this summer. However, to do so will require a new club record.
The most Villa have spent on any one transfer is the £38m (including add-ons) paid to sign Emiliano Buendia from Norwich. FI claim City would only agree to sell Phillips if recouping 100 percent of the £45m they paid Leeds.
Aston Villa gunning for Arsenal hero
Elsewhere, a report out of Spain (as cited by Goal), sheds light on Villa’s interest in Reiss Nelson of Arsenal.
The right winger, 23, famously rifled home the 97th winner in Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Bournemouth on March 4. That strike will live long in the memory of Gunners fans, especially if they go on to lift their first Premier League title since 2004.
However, Nelson has the near-impossible task of displacing Bukayo Saka if he’s to ever become a regular at the Emirates. As such, and with his contract expiring at season’s end, an exit has been mooted.
Fabrizio Romano recently claimed dialogue between Nelson’s camp and Arsenal is open. A new contract is being discussed, though at this stage it’s far from a guarantee he puts pen to paper.
The Daily Mail reported Brighton are in the mix in the event negotiations break down. But per news from Spain, so too are Villa.
One might question why a Spanish outlet appear to have news on a player who could potentially move between two English sides. The presence of Spaniard Unai Emery at Villa Park is seemingly the catalyst behind their reporting.
In any case, Villa are namechecked as being among those keeping tabs on Nelson’s situation. Everton and Leicester also get a mention.
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