Villa pulled off one of the best loan deal coups in recent memory at the end of the summer transfer window, pocketing the services of England international midfielder Ross Barkley for the season from Chelsea.
No doubt Frank Lampard and Román Abramóvich could live to rue the move, but for Villa fans it brings about the tantalising prospect of having Barkley working in tandem with Jack Grealish this term.
Indeed, their first joint outing saw the England midfield pair rout Liverpool 7-2, suggesting that their partnership could be very fruitful indeed.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, Villa are far from the only team doing business in the loan market, with players being offloaded by Europe’s big boys, meaning that there are bargains to be had.
With Villa still pondering options for the Championship (Behrahma and Cantwell as two examples), it remains to see whether Dean Smith will opt to strengthen further.
With our focus having been exclusively on transfer movements concerning B6 of late, here are some of the other best value deals that we picked out, and which we think could bolster some of Villa’s Premier League rivals for the season ahead.
All these clubs and players got their deals over the line just before the transfer window closed
Michy Batshuayi – Chelsea to Crystal Palace
Lampard’s risky summer splurge has not just paid dividends for Villa, but for other clubs too, with Crystal Palace adding Michy Batshuayi to an already stacked forward line that features the likes of Jordan Ayew, Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke.
This Belgian international was out of favour with the blues after the arrival of the likes of Timo Werner at Stamford Bridge, but he is just about the best back-up striker you could wish to have and is coming into his prime. Many a Premier League odds tipster will be backing Palace to cause some shocks in league and cup competitions this season, and Batshuayi’s signing will only strengthen the belief that the Eagles are a team to watch.
Embed from Getty ImagesPlayers in search of more game time have been on the move this summer
Jack Harrison – Man City to Leeds
You know a player is getting the best coaching that money can buy when he flits between Pep Guardiola at Man City and Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, two men who certainly rank among the top managers in the world.
Having already spent a previous loan spell at Elland Road before this season, the 23-year old has slotted right back into the team this term and has already netted a Premier League goal against Liverpool.
Embed from Getty ImagesCengiz Ünder – Roma to Leicester
This Turkish star is highly thought of by Roma, but injuries have held him back from becoming a real star in Serie A.
Leicester are masters of realising the potential of players and Brendan Rodgers will no doubt bring the best out of this fleet-footed attacking player who specialises in drifting dangerously infield off the wing. He is also extremely fast, which will suit Leicester’ speedy front line.
Ünder will be able to link up with his fellow Turkish international Çağlar Söyüncü, which should help him settle in swiftly.
Embed from Getty ImagesGareth Bale – Real Madrid to Tottenham
Jose Mourinho has his critics, but there is no doubt that bringing Bale back to Spurs on loan is a masterstroke, instantly giving the club the buzz that was about when Bale was tearing Premier League defences apart on a weekly basis.
Of course, he arrived on these shores injured, but if he returns to his best to play alongside Harry Kane and Son Heung-min then Tottenham might actually win something this season. Just don’t go putting any money it because, well, it is Spurs.
Embed from Getty ImagesVitinha – Porto to Wolves
Nuno Espírito Santo knows a thing or two about Portuguese football and specifically Porto, the club he played for under Jose Mourinho.
Therefore, if he thinks that midfielder Vitinha can become the next Joao Moutinho then he is probably right.
Porto fans were apparently devastated to see him move to the Premier League, and Wolves’ Portuguese revolution shows no signs of letting up.
Embed from Getty ImagesDani Ceballos – Real Madrid to Arsenal
From one judge of a good player to another, with Mikel Arteta managing to lure Real Madrid product Dani Ceballos to the Emirates.
Any time you manage to get a £30 million rated midfielder on loan you know you have probably done good business, especially when he chips in with regular goals.
Embed from Getty ImagesA domestic transfer window remains open until October 16th 2020. Although deals between Premier League clubs will not be able to occur, top-flight sides can trade with EFL clubs and loan or sign players permanently up until the mid-October deadline.
Villa of course completed significant business during the window, signing Ollie Watkins, Matty Cash, Emi Martinez, Bertand Traore and Ross Barkley (Season Long Loan).
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