After a standout season in the Premier League, Aston Villa are looking to take that momentum to the Champions League.
Unai Emery’s side stunned many as they fought their way to a fourth-place finish in the league, picking up some truly impressive results along the way.
But the only thing harder than getting to the top is staying there – and Villa know some shrewd business this summer will be vital in ensuring continued success.
The midlands club are already in the market for Chelsea academy graduate Conor Gallagher who could depart his boyhood club, having joined the club at the age of eight.
The Blues are highly concerned about Profit and Sustainability rules which means that Gallagher – despite being of huge value to Chelsea – is up for grabs, albeit for what looks to be a significant cost of £50million.
But Villa face competition from Tottenham who also made moves to try and sign the England midfielder in the winter transfer window.
And if Emery does manage to win the race for Gallagher, he would not be the only new presence to grace the Villa midfield next season.
Following a valiant but unsuccessful campaign, Luton Town ended their Premier League season in relegation – leaving midfield maestro Ross Barkley hungry for a club that can cater to his ambitions.
And talkSPORT understands that Villa have agreed a £5million deal to sign Barkley with a move expected to be confirmed soon.
It would not be Barkley’s first time with the Villans either, having already spent the 2020/21 season with them on loan from Chelsea.
The midfielder shone despite Luton’s unsuccessful campaign, scoring five goals in his 37 total appearances, and he will undoubtedly prove a huge asset to Villa as they look to compete in the Champions League too.
But it is not all good news for Villa, as they look to balance the books and stay on the right side of financial regulations.
Villa suffered a blow when their Premier League rivals voted against their proposal to raise the amount clubs can lose over a three-year period from £105m to £135m.
It means they are under pressure to raise cash before the end of the current PSR period on June 30 and midfield stalwart Douglas Luiz is attracting interest from Juventus.
talkSPORT understands Villa are ready to cash-in on Luiz, giving their midfield an entirely new look.
Villa will also do their best to fend off interest from Liverpool in star striker Ollie Watkins.
With Luiz likely to be out the door, Emery is looking to complete his midfield revolution by signing a familiar name.
The former Arsenal manager could be reunited with Matteo Guendouzi, who is currently on loan at Lazio, with Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport reporting that Villa are keen on the French star.
To round things off, with Tyrone Mings not playing for the entirety of the season due to ongoing injury concerns, Emery might look to shore up his defence by adding some needed depth to his squad.
Villa could look to pull off a skilful coup as they target a defender that rivals Manchester United have also got their eyes on.
The Red Devils are eyeing up Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries – but it is being reported that Villa are also set to pounce on the Dutch right-back.
And with Man United coming off the back of a poor Premier League season, Villa may well feel they have the advantage of being the more attractive club at present.
It means Villa’s starting XI come the beginning of the 2024/25 season could look rather different next season – particularly in the midfield.
But while the personnel might be different, Emery will certainly be hoping that the recent levels of success his team have enjoyed will remain very much the same.
News Summary:
- How Aston Villa could look with ex-Arsenal and Chelsea stars joining Conor Gallagher in brand new midfield
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