With Villa still active in the summer transfer market, Dean Smith’s attacking options remain in a state of flux.
Whilst the club record £33m signing of Ollie Watkins added a central piece to the goalscoring jigsaw, there remains a lack of clarity around who the supporting cast will be.
Wesley, Villa’s record signing until Watkin’s arrived from Brentford, is out until at least the New Year. Rumours of a possible Lazio return won’t go away either.
Samatta, a desperate January signing as Villa rocked from Wesley’s injury, now looks set to join Fenerbache. The Tanzanian has been travelling today, ahead of completing a move which The Villa Underground has reported as being on the cards for a number of weeks.
Equally unclear is the immediate future of Keinan Davis. The 22 year old has signed a new contract just yesterday to keep him at Villa Park until 2024. However, the goal-shy striker could yet find himself out on loan, with a number of Championship suitors offering guaranteed first team football to aid his development.
Ante Budimir
Embed from Getty ImagesVilla and Sheffield United have been linked with a swoop for Real Mallorca striker Ante Budimir.
The Croatian striker is a surprise transfer rumour, as despite scoring 84 career goals, was relegated from La Liga last term. However, despite the Mallorcan sides demise, Budimir did manage to find the net 13 times in 35 outings.
The 29 year old attacker has aspirations to play for Croatia, which a drop to the second tier of Spanish football would presumably lessen. Any move by Villa for the little known attacker would cost somewhere in the region of €15m Euros to complete.
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Mallorca have 12 strikers so he needs to be cheap 8€m
More rumours this morning:
Heart of the Holte are suggesting we’re in for a move for James Milner – I haven’t seen this reported anywhere else yet, but they were talking as though it’s a strong possibility and that Villa are after a “number 8”, possibly yo move into Hourihane’s position in our midfield..
James would bring a wealrh of Premiership and European experience to our team, and a return to our club could also possibly mean a coaching role would be on the cards in the future (like with John Terry).
Tying into the speculation that we might be in for another central midfielder are widespread reports that we’re trying to pick up Ross Barkley on loan from Chelsea. THis came up the other day, but looks like the national press are running with the story now.