Villa continue to be linked with a host of players even at these relatively early stages of the transfer window, with Moise Kean the latest.
The Italian domestic double winner, still only 22, has reportedly been offered to Villa, with Juventus eager to take Douglas Luiz the other way.
Now for the complicated part, Kean has been on loan from fellow Premier League side Everton but Juventus are under contract to purchase the striker as part of the 2 year deal.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt seems that despite an eye watering 5 year contract and £24m (ish) move to Goodison Park in 2019, Kean has no future at Everton, nor indeed Juventus, who intend to sell him immediately. Owing to the structure of the deal, it’s understood that any sale could net Frank Lampard’s side a cool €38m.
Kean, still young, remains unfulfilled in the Premier League. He failed to make any real impact for The Toffees, managing a mere 4 goals in 39 games. A loan spell at PSG produced a better return of 17 goals in 41 games. There is the question of just how competitive Ligue 1 is though by comparison.
The international capped striker hasn’t particularly blossomed on his return to Serie A either and Juve are widely reported across the domestic and international press to be considering alternative options. After a number of under-whelming performances last season, La Vecchia Signora opted to sign Dusan Vlahovic in the January transfer window.
DOUGLAS DILEMMA
Douglas Luiz’s situation remains an interesting element of any deal, especially given persistent rumours linking the Brazilian international with a move to Italy, most recently Roma. The 24 year old has struggled for consistency at Villa, which whilst sometimes attributed to playing in an unfamiliar defensive holding role, has meant his performances have varied massively.
Embed from Getty ImagesJuventus were rumoured to have been interested in taking Luiz as far back as January 2021, and were monitoring his availability when a Premier League side (thought to be Arsenal) had a €36m bid rejected in January 2022.
It remains unclear what the future of the Olympic Gold medalist will be at Villa Park, especially with Villa continuing to be alive to opportunties in the transfer market. The former Man City midfielder does also have just 12 months remaining on his current deal, meaning that both the player and the club are likely pondering their options.
Kean isn’t without other PL admirers either, and West Ham are cited as considering a move to take the Italian to The London Stadium. If there is any substance to this rumour, then this would certainly represent a gamble for Villa. Whilst Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings weren’t always firing on all cylinders last term, they do carry a proven (albeit inconsistent) goal threat in the top flight. Kean, could prove to be both costly financially and an unknown quantity in a Steven Gerrard side that simply must improve upon a 14th placed finish in next seasons campaign.