Winter 2025 Transfer Window - hopes, speculation, rumours etc.

[Londonvilla]

It is official. Aston Villa is a good football team, and we boast not only a strong first eleven but also an incredibly strong bench. In practice, this means that the January and summer transfer windows will be fascinating, as we will be in the position where people come into the first team, meaning that existing first-team players will move to the bench, and bench players will have to leave the club. We only have two prominent names out of contract this summer: Kortney Hause and Robin Olsen, who have contributed very little and will not be missed from the playing point of view. Philippe Coutinho and Leander Dendoncker are high earners who will probably come off the books in the summer, freeing up valuable wages.

Taking all this into consideration, what will our summer transfer policy be?

Based on where we are now with a good first-team squad. I think our overarching philosophy as it relates to transfers should be the same as Juventus. A player should fulfil one of the following categories:

•   Walk straight into the first team – quality additions, relegating existing players to the bench.
•   Wonder kid – a young player with a high ceiling.

At no point should we ever consider foreign journeymen who restrict us in terms of the home-grown rule and block pathways for our younger players. (I also object to home-grown journeymen, but I understand why some clubs purchase them to act as number three goalkeepers or to help control the dressing room.)

Looking at our current squad, we need to upgrade at right back and right-wing (Quality starters). I would be happy to see us go big in these two areas and then add two or three wonder kids covering central defence, attacking midfield, and centre forward.
Looking at the January transfer window and the free market players. This is the list of players I think we should be talking to:

Out of contract in 2025: The best free agents available on a Bosman

Tariq Lamptey (Brighton) is a home-grown right back who is better on the ball and quicker than Matty Cash.

Denzel Dumfries (Inter) is clearly looking for a big payday. So this one may be unrealistic, but taking into consideration that when we attack, we often go to 3 at the back, his size and pace would make an excellent right-sided centre-back in a three.

Rayan Cherki (Lyon). I’m unclear why no one signed him last summer; I see him as a clear upgrade for us on the right with the bonus that he can play on the left and as a number 10.

Angel Gomes (Lille). This Swiss army knife of a player can play right wing numbers 10, 8, and 6. He is a conductor and surprisingly good in a tackle for someone so small, with the added bonus of being home-grown.

Amad Diallo (Manchester United). I'm not sure why Manure has not signed up for a new contract. I put him in the wonder kid bracket. I would definitely be talking to his agent in January. Even if you couldn’t sign in until the summer.

Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton). I’ve always liked him, can play left back or right back’s would start ahead of Cash at right back.

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami). I always like the idea of a hidden gem—you know, the sort of player no one has ever heard of who turns out to be great. Messi is out of contract, and this time, a goalkeeper made a few calls.

So, what do you think of my analysis and the list of free agents? Have I missed anyone out?

[cdbearsfan]

FIFA have just changed the rules to their stupid World Club thing so as to shoehorn Inter Miami into it. They'll be annoyed if we sign Messi, let's do it. 😃

[rob_bridge]

True. But, I like Mbuemo. It's exactly what Watkins needs. More competition to destroy his depleted confidence.

He'd be competition for Rogers though, wouldn't he? We do need another option there if Emery doesn't think Buendia can step up.

I'd see it a Buendia replacement. More reliable in some of the what have no become more mundane league games.

I thought he was excellent against us last season at Villa Park - we made it easy for him but he really took advantage.

[Toronto Villa]

True. But, I like Mbuemo. It's exactly what Watkins needs. More competition to destroy his depleted confidence.

What depleted confidence? Hasn’t he got something like 8 or 9 goal contributions already this season?

[Tayls_7]

True. But, I like Mbuemo. It's exactly what Watkins needs. More competition to destroy his depleted confidence.

What depleted confidence? Hasn’t he got something like 8 or 9 goal contributions already this season?

It was a bit tongue in cheek TV, although he started the season a bit shit.

It amuses me that he clearly doesn't much like the limelight Duran has been receiving. Go on, deny it.

[garyellis]

We have Cash, Konsa, Nedeljković and Bogarde there. With Mings back we have the option to play Konsa right back more than we did before. With Bailey being hit-and-miss this season and Philogene still unproven, amazing super party goals winger has to be the priority.

Anybody think Mudryk could be a shout?

[aj2k77]

We have Cash, Konsa, Nedeljković and Bogarde there. With Mings back we have the option to play Konsa right back more than we did before. With Bailey being hit-and-miss this season and Philogene still unproven, amazing super party goals winger has to be the priority.

Anybody think Mudryk could be a shout?

The only thing I'd shout at Mudryk is '' You're a shit waste of ££££ ''

[Nii Lamptey]

Covered pretty much everywhere..... but quality is probably lacking down our entire right side.

1) We desperately need a top drawer RB - A right sided version of Luca Digne or Maatsen is critical. Someone who can defend and doesn't give away silly fouls or penalties all the time, and doesn't get a nose bleed when they enter the attacking third.
2) Bailey was brilliant last season, but for whatever reason, be it form or injury issues, he's faltering a little so far. If there are funds available after snapping up a RB, competition for that right winger spot should be next on the list.

...and that's it. We don't need anyone else.

[aj2k77]

Anyone think we miss Diaby at all?

[Mister E]

We have Cash, Konsa, Nedeljković and Bogarde there. With Mings back we have the option to play Konsa right back more than we did before. With Bailey being hit-and-miss this season and Philogene still unproven, amazing super party goals winger has to be the priority.

Anybody think Mudryk could be a shout?

The only thing I'd shout at Mudryk is '' You're a shit waste of ££££ ''

And I'd be there shouting it with you. We already have Bailey, anyway 

[Mister E]

Walker-Peters and Mbuemo are players I've always liked but I'm guessing that we will not buy in January unless we incur some significant injuries; unless some youngsters for development at the Unai Academy.

[Demitri_C]

We have Cash, Konsa, Nedeljković and Bogarde there. With Mings back we have the option to play Konsa right back more than we did before. With Bailey being hit-and-miss this season and Philogene still unproven, amazing super party goals winger has to be the priority.

Anybody think Mudryk could be a shout?

No but i would take madueke

[cdbearsfan]

Sadly, I think that ship has sailed. He's an excellent player but established part of their team, now, even before you add England Player Inflation.

[Toronto Villa]

True. But, I like Mbuemo. It's exactly what Watkins needs. More competition to destroy his depleted confidence.

What depleted confidence? Hasn’t he got something like 8 or 9 goal contributions already this season?

It was a bit tongue in cheek TV, although he started the season a bit shit.

It amuses me that he clearly doesn't much like the limelight Duran has been receiving. Go on, deny it.

Yeh, I doubt any number 1 striker, and especially that position wants to play less one share the spotlight. But to stay a part of this amazing story all the players need to embrace the squad aspect. My guess is he respects what Duran offers something he can never do, and vice versa. It’s working well for now that they have quite unique traits. The question for us will can we keep both happy with the balance of minutes as it is now. And with Duran especially, does the club become tempted to sell him for a monster price should one come in? Not like there are many clubs who could pay it. He ain’t £40m anymore.

[VillaTim]

Dumfries is a good shout . I mentioned him last summer, i think he'd fit into the Emery system seamlessly