How much of an impact Mateu Alemany’s sudden and unexpected Aston Villa snub has on Unai Emery’s transfer plans, only time will tell.
But it’s certainly a blow – and a distraction – the Aston Villa boss could have done without as he looks to build on an exceptional first season at the Premier League outfit with a couple of impressive, high-profile signings.
Alemany, according to the Birmingham Mail, had already started discussing transfer targets with Unai Emery. But, as Fabrizio Romano explains, the Barcelona director will not be joining his fellow Spaniard in the Midlands after all, deciding to stick around at a Blaugrana side who secured their first La Liga title in three years at the weekend.
Mateu Alemany turns down Aston Villa to stay at Barcelona
Many of Emery’s leading targets, this summer, are players based in La Liga. Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio, Villarreal defener Pau Torres and Las Palmas wonderkid Alberto Moleiro to name but four.
Alemany’s connections in Spanish football would have been nothing if not a benefit, as far as Aston Villa are concerned. Especially with regards to their interest in one Ferran Torres; the £47 million former Manchester City forward who joined Barcelona on Alemany’s watch back in January 2022.
According to talkSPORT, Torres – out of favour under Camp Nou boss Xavi these days – could be offered a route back to England by both Aston Villa and Arsenal.
But if the prospect of Alemany joining forces with Emery appeared to give Aston Villa the advantage, then his sudden U-turn may serve to send the upper hand in Arsenal’s direction instead.
23-year-old Torres has the makings of a very Arteta-era sort of signing; technically-gifted, improving and highly-versatile. Like Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Leandro Trossard – all of whom arrived at the Emirates during the Mikel Arteta/ Edu Gaspar reign – Torres is capable of thriving in multiple positions, and would bring extra depth to a relatively small squad.
Is Ferran Torres heading to Arsenal or Villa?
“He has incredible numbers for first season in England,” Pep Guardiola, Arteta’s former mentor at Man City, said back in May 2021 after Torres hit a hat-trick against Newcastle United.
“He came as a winger with incredible runs in behind. But he can play as a striker. Every time he plays in that position, he has a real sense of goal.
“He was fantastic all season. An incredible signing for us, a young player who can play in all three positions for us up front.”
Aston Villa, an ambitious, well-heeled club on the up under Emery, should still benefit from a much-improved pulling power in the summer market; Alemany or no Alemany.
Still, any hopes they had of luring Ferran Torres to Villa Park will be nothing but negatively effected by the Barca chief’s sudden U-turn.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
