It has been a decidedly quiet January transfer window to date, but, that’s certainly got to be considered a good thing. Gone are the days when we as supporters would be hoping for a signing, any signing, to improve our beleaguered fortunes.
As it happens, Unai Emery is faced with a Rubix cube of a squad puzzle to try to unravel. The Spaniard must balance rising expectations against Villa’s lack of squad depth and all whilst walking a financial fair play tightrope.
DENDONCKER TO NAPOLI
Embed from Getty ImagesPerhaps an unsurprising exit is that of Leander Dendoncker to Italian champions Napoli on loan until the end of the campaign. The Belgian international hardly set the world alight at Villa Park and his departure opens the door to highly rated midfielder Tim Iroegbunam. Still just 20, Iroegbunam has a campaign of Championship football under his belt on loan at QPR.
Villa’s very public pursuit of Middlesbrough’s Morgan Rogers continues.
ROGERS & ROWE
Embed from Getty ImagesThe 21-year-old winger still has 3 and a half years on his recently improved contract and offers below £10 million aren’t believed to remotely tempt the Teeside club. With three bids rebuffed, Villa are also keeping close tabs on Norwich City’s Jonathan Rowe. Rowe has scored 12 goals from a wide position this term, but the Canaries are similarly reluctant to sell given the proximity to the end of the transfer window.
DURAN > CHELSEA
Embed from Getty ImagesAn eyebrow-raising link to emerge is that of Jhon Duran to Chelsea.
The raw 20-year-old Colombian striker cuts both an enticing prospect, but can appear a frustrated figure with it. Duran, a full international and with 4 goals this term, does appear to have something special within him though, which means that there will be suitors for a player firmly behind Ollie Watkins in both selection and favour.
Whilst Duran is expected to be out injured for several weeks, it has been reported that Chelsea’s interest is ‘legitimate’. This transfer rumour is certainly one to keep an eye on, especially as it could leave Emery lacking in any sort of attacking strength in depth without a suitable replacement lined up for the remainder of the campaign.