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Despite only securing promotion two days ago, there are a number of players linked to Aston Villa.
Words by Regan Foy / @FindFoy
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Despite only achieving their return to the Premier League two days ago, Aston Villa have been linked to a wide range of footballers from across the sporting globe.
Some of the links are non-stories, and as expected the media are looking to make obvious connections and turn them into something that fans want to here.
We’re going to look over the recent links and rank them in regards to how likely they are to happen.
Tyrone Mings
These rumours are coming more from social media than the actual press, with a number of figures stating that they believe that the Tyrone Mings deal is all but done. A fee, and wages, are said to be agreed.
Mings evidently is happy with his experience at Villa Park and wants to follow in the footsteps of Laursen and Mellberg in becoming a centre-back hero at the club.
With a number of whispers, as well as the mainstream press jumping on this now, it’s likely that Tyrone Mings will be the first announcement from the club this summer.
Likelihood: 5/5
Anwar El Ghazi
This is another relatively easy connection to make for any media outlets, seeing as his parent club Lille are in dire straits financially and are looking to offload outcast players. That, and the club have a purchase option on their loan.
El Ghazi also wasn’t coy about how much he’d like to stay at the club in an interview after the game:
“I love the club and the fans. I have to talk with my agent. This club is amazing, I will be very happy if I can stay here. We have to figure it out with Lille first, but I’ll be very happy to stay here.”
– Anwar El Ghazi speaking to Aston Villa media after the final.
It’s truly down to Dean Smith and Jesus Garcia Pitarch whether Anwar signs for the club on a permanent basis or not.
Likelihood: 4/5
Kalvin Phillips
Leeds United’s versatile midfielder is one of the first players that hasn’t played for Aston Villa recently to be linked with the club.
As per a report from the Daily Mail, Dean Smith is interested in bringing in the defensive midfielder, who can also play at centre-back. It’s likely that if Glenn Whelan and Mile Jedinak don’t get contract extensions, and Birkir Bjarnason is shipped out, that Kalvin could be a replacement for the gap left in that part of the midfield.
The 23-year-old has been referred to as a ‘quarter-back’ within Bielsa’s Leeds system, and could become a favourite at Villa if he was to join. However, the transfer would not be cheap and a price tag could sway decisions.
Likelihood: 2/5
Joe Lolley
Nottingham Forest’s Joe Lolley is probably the easiest link for any media to make, seeing as he’s a well known Aston Villa fan.
Lolley has had a habit of scoring against the Villa whilst they were in the Championship and has recently signed a long-term contract at Nottingham Forest – the biggest thing standing in the way of this transfer happening.
He hasn’t dispelled any rumours and could potentially be walking through the doors at Bodymoor Heath sooner rather than later.
However, whilst the Nottingham Forest Player of the Season could follow in the footsteps of Dean Smith by arriving at his boyhood club – he might also show that loyalty still exists in football by remaining at Forest.
Likelihood: 3/5
