Latest Aston Villa transfer news: Emery after 2 ex-players; rivals eye Luiz

Football FanCast brings you the latest Aston Villa transfer round-up.

The Villans’ 2023/24 Premier League campaign saw the club reach heights not scaled since the early 1990s, with Unai Emery guiding his team to the Champions League for the first time thanks to a fourth-place finish.

Following their run to the Europa Conference League semis last season, the Spaniard will now have a better idea of what will be required to compete – making this summer’s transfer market a critical period to get right as far as 2024/25’s aspirations are concerned.

Here is a round-up of the latest transfer rumours regarding Aston Villa, including a comprehensive list of those linked to the club since the end of the season.

Latest Aston Villa transfer rumours

Transfers in

Matteo Guendouzi: Unai Emery could be after a former player in Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi. Despite his current club having an obligation to buy him following his loan switch from Marseille, the Frenchman, once of Arsenal, is thought to be eager to secure an exit from the Italian capital.

It is believed that Villa could be willing to part ways with as much as £25m to seal a deal this summer.

Matias Soule: Argentina winger Matias Soule could be the subject of a £30m+ bid from Aston Villa this summer, according to reports. Along with Juventus teammate Weston McKennie, Soule is thought to have been earmarked as a potential makeweight in a deal that sees Douglas Luiz sign for the Old Lady.

Emile Smith Rowe: Aston Villa are one of a number of clubs showing an interest in Arsenal attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe. Another player with experience in playing under Emery, Smith Rowe is someone who has been long admired in the Midlands, with Dean Smith previously attempting to lure him from north London.

And with playing time at a premium last season at the Emirates Stadium, he may well be on the move this summer – though the likes of Fulham and Napoli are thought to be among his other suitors.

Transfers out

Douglas Luiz: Aston Villa are reportedly facing a battle to keep Douglas Luiz at the club this summer, with three Premier League clubs thought to be interested in the Brazilian.

One of those is Arsenal, who have previously attempted to bring the midfielder to north London, while Liverpool and Manchester United are also credited with an interest. However, Villa are set to hold out for big money if they are to sell.

Jacob Ramsey: According to The Telegraph, Jacob Ramsey is being eyed by the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the opening of the transfer window. Meanwhile, the same report claims that the Villans are open to selling Diego Carlos as they ponder getting his hefty £100k-a-week wages off the books.

Philippe Coutinho: Reports have suggested that Philippe Coutinho is seeking a return to Brazil this summer, as his time at Villa Park looks set to fizzle out.

The Brazilian, who spent last season on loan in Qatar with Al-Duhail, appears keen to bring his Villa career to an end, having barely been utilised under Unai Emery following his sensational return to the Premier League with the Villans.

Confirmed Aston Villa 2024/25 transfers

Transfers out

While there have been no confirmed incomings at Villa so far, one outgoing on the cards for a while was confirmed last month, as Morgan Sanson sealed a permanent switch to Ligue 1 Nice following his loan spell.

Aston Villa 2023/24 transfers

Unai Emery was hard at work over the summer months as he welcomed five new faces to his Aston Villa squad.

The likes of Clement Lenglet, Moussa Diaby, Pau Torres, Nicolo Zaniolo and Youri Tielemans all joined, and have all already had a pretty big impact on proceedings. Especially Diaby and Torres, who have been regular starters this season.

And, whilst the most recent signings of Morgan Rogers, Kosta Nedeljkovic, Joe Gauci and Lino Sousa won’t excite too many fans, these are all young players who could have a big say in the future of the club.

Aston Villa 2023/24 sales

Aston Villa offloaded around 15 players at points in the current campaign, whether that be in the form of temporary or permanent deals, as part of a major overhaul by Unai Emery at Villa Park.

Some of the more notable pieces of business were Cameron Archer’s big-money exit and highly-rated midfielder Jaden Philogene’s move to Hull City in the Championship.

As well as this, some experienced heads weren’t required anymore, as the likes of Ashley Young, Philippe Coutinho and Leander Dendoncker have all been shipped on loan or permanently.