- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Aston Villa have opened talks with Jaden Philogene as the Hull City forward considers returning to the Premier League giants amid rival interest from Ipswich, Everton and Crystal Palace.
Back in September, Hull City’s vice chairman Tan Kesler confirmed that Aston Villa had included a buy-back clause in the England Under 21 international’s contract after selling him to Hull City to the tune of £5 million last summer.
And, following an outstanding campaign on Humberside, HITC understands that Villa have now triggered that aforementioned clause.
HITC reported earlier in the week that Everton and a Crystal Palace side looking for wingers to replace Bayern Munich’s new £45 million signing Michael Olise had expressed their interest in Jaden Philogene.
Ipswich Town – labelled the ‘favourites’ for Philogene’s signature by Hull owner Acun Ilicali – have had a bid of £18 million bid accepted.
But if Ipswich had hoped to tie up a deal sooner rather than later, there has been a sudden twist in the tale with Aston Villa now offering Philogene the chance to pick up where he left off in the Midlands.
Jaden Philogene could return to Aston Villa from Hull City
HITC understands that Unai Emery’s side have activated a clause that allows them to match any offers Hull have accepted within 72 hours of the offer being given the green light.
Villa, who would therefore have to stump up £18 million for their former academy kid, have now spoken to Philogene’s camp.
And, while Ipswich, Palace, Everton and also West Ham United remain in contention, there is a belief that Philogene is now giving serious consideration to a second spell in claret-and-blue.
“Villa have the right to buy him back,” Kesler told the Hull Daily Mail in late-2023. “It’s not like we’re forced to sell to Villa. But they would have the first choice, and that’s part of our agreement.”
The 22-year-old Philogene joined Aston Villa’s academy back in 2018. He made six first-team appearances but was sold on a year ago, despite making eye-catching progress during loan spells at Stoke and Cardiff City.
It’s testament to how far Philogene has come at Hull, however, that The Tigers now look set to make a minimum £13 million profit on a player who ended the campaign with six assists and 12 often spectacular goals. Including, famously, an admittedly heavily-deflected rabona effort versus Rotherham United which took social media by storm.
Crystal Palace, Everton and Ipswich still in the race
“Ridiculous. It’s ridiculous,” an awe-struck former Hull boss Liam Rosenior told Yorkshire Live after he dazzled The Millers. “His ability is something we have missed for a long time. He is only going to get better the more games he plays.”
“It is not just his goal or the showreel moments,” the former Derby Couny coach adds. “It is his energy levels for the team. He has a real belief, he can be a top player. But the reason he can be a top player is because he works so hard on his game.”
Philogene may find regular starts hard to come by if he opts to return to his old stomping ground.
Aston Villa already have Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby fighting for a spot on the wings, while Morgan Rogers can play out wide too.
There is also Samuel Iling-Junior, the summer signing from Juventus alongside Enzo Barrenechea.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
