After Unai Emery did what Martin O’Neill failed to do over a decade ago – guiding Aston Villa into the Champions League – the next stage of the Midland giants’ evolution awaits.
Considering the standard and the stature of the players Aston Villa appear to be targeting ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window, it appears the ambition the club have shown throughout the Wes Edens and Nayef Sawiris era is being kicked up a notch.
HITC understands Villa have held talks with Paris Saint-Germain about silky Spain international Carlos Soler. They are also one of a number of Premier League clubs eyeing up the very appetising £34 million release clause in the contract of Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga-winning speed-machine Jeremie Frimpong.
There is interest in Xavi Simons too – a revelation at RB Leipzig – while Villa are increasingly confident of fighting off competition from top-flight rivals to bring Ross Barkley back to familiar surroundings after a fine spell at Luton Town.
A big summer awaits for Aston Villa
Of course, when there are incomings, there usually has to be outgoings.
Aston Villa have already removed Morgan Sanson from the wage bill. OGC Nice confirmed earlier in May that they were ‘celebrating’ a permanent deal for a man who barely kicked a meaningful ball in anger following his £14 million move from Marseille.
There is also a Philippe Coutinho-shaped problem for Emery, Monchi and co to solve. Fortunately, Vasco da Gama are providing a solution.
Vasco’s president, Pedrinho, admitted that talks were underway last week. The club’s new head coach Alvaro Pacheco, meanwhile, is obviously excited about the prospect of working with the former Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Inter Milan creator.
“We’ve been talking about a lot of things, but all of this is changing quickly. Philippe Coutinho’s trajectory and CV speak for themselves,” Pacheco told O Dia.
“He’s a super experienced player, with a fantastic career. If he comes, he’ll be very welcome by everyone.”
Philippe Coutinho in line for Brazil return
Vasco da Gama might not have it all their own way, however. The fight for Coutinho may be developing into a two-horse race, after Cruzeiro owner Pedro Lourenco also confirmed his own interest in Aston Villa’s £17 million forgotten man.
“A big dream is Coutinho, for example,” Lourenco tells Globo Esporte. “We have a big dream to bring that kind of player.
“Coutinho is truly a dream. And, if we have to bring him, we will spare no effort.”
The Brazil international spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Qatari outfit Al Duhail. It is not certain whether Aston Villa would be willing to loan Coutinho out again, or whether they would prefer to cash in on a 31-year-old who appears to have been left behind somewhat by the rise of high-pressing and the decline of the orthodox number ten.
Coutinho is under contract at Villa Park until 2026.
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