Winter 25-26 Transfer Window - hopes, speculation, rumours etc.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Unai Emery interested in Thiago Almada at Atletico Madrid
Villa have been linked to Thiago Almada in the past, but never made a move to sign the Argentina international.
Fichajes have reported direct interest from Emery, who is said to want “an extra dose of creativity” in his side to challenge the likes of Morgan Rogers and John McGinn.
The attacking midfielder is valued at £21million and could be let go by Diego Simeone’s side in the hope of balancing the books in the Spanish capital.

If there's any credibility in this, this is where the Elliott money would be going. Also, maybe we will cash in on Buendia in January (or more likely July), as someone above speculated.

There's a possibility of a loan but according to one report in the last 24 hours in Brazil where Flamengo are said to be interested in him, Atlético want €30m for 50% of him, the remaining to be sold after the World Cup when they expect his value to increase.

Cheeky bastardos!

[Chris Smith]

Unai Emery interested in Thiago Almada at Atletico Madrid
Villa have been linked to Thiago Almada in the past, but never made a move to sign the Argentina international.
Fichajes have reported direct interest from Emery, who is said to want “an extra dose of creativity” in his side to challenge the likes of Morgan Rogers and John McGinn.
The attacking midfielder is valued at £21million and could be let go by Diego Simeone’s side in the hope of balancing the books in the Spanish capital.

If there's any credibility in this, this is where the Elliott money would be going. Also, maybe we will cash in on Buendia in January (or more likely July), as someone above speculated.

There's a possibility of a loan but according to one report in the last 24 hours in Brazil where Flamengo are said to be interested in him, Atlético want €30m for 50% of him, the remaining to be sold after the World Cup when they expect his value to increase.

Cheeky bastardos!

Sounds like Dragon’s Den pitch - I am looking for a 30m investment for a 50% share. I’m out.

[yammers]

I'd love to see a Buendia upgrade come in.

Harvey Elliott?

[Londonvilla]

Aston Villa are also showing interest in Union Berlin defender Danilho Doekhi and could rival Leeds United for him this month.

Doekhi’s contract is set to expire in the summer, putting pressure on the situation. That means Union Berlin could be forced into a sale this month to ensure that they get any kind of fee for him.

 Doekhi is the cousin of Lamare Bogarde, the Aston Villa youngster. That’s surely a connection they would use when it comes to trying to convince the 27-year-old.

https://sportwitness.co.uk/family-connection-could-help-aston-villa-beat-leeds-united-to-player-pl-duo-set-to-battle-it-out/

[Ian.]

I would say Emery didn’t think Elliot is an upgrade on anyone else in the squad, so I would imagine if anyone is leaving they need to be better than the replacement therefore a massive upgrade on Elliot.

[Smithy]

I would say Emery didn’t think Elliot is an upgrade on anyone else in the squad, so I would imagine if anyone is leaving they need to be better than the replacement therefore a massive upgrade on Elliot.

I'm not sure that's definitely true.  I think he could believe Elliott is better than some of his options in the squad, and also think the £30m he'd cost would be better spent elsewhere.  Both can be true.

If the £30m buy-clause wasn't there, I have no doubt we'd have seen as much of him (at least) as we have of Sancho.  The only reason he's not played, is because Unai wants to do something else with that £30m.  Which is obviously fair enough!

[OCD]

With our restrictions and reasonable strength of squad, I'd like to see us do some pre-contract agreements where we take players on Bosman's in the summer. There does seem to be some good players with their contracts running down.

[LeeS]

With our restrictions and reasonable strength of squad, I'd like to see us do some pre-contract agreements where we take players on Bosman's in the summer. There does seem to be some good players with their contracts running down.

Me too. I love a good Bosman. Unfortunately, our main restriction is the player wages one. Free transfers often command higher salaries.

[Sexual Ealing]

Not necessarily if you can give them a big signing fee.

[paul_e]

Not sure there are many coming up this summer we'd be interested in - https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/statistik/endendevertraege

[LeeB]

Not sure there are many coming up this summer we'd be interested in - https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/statistik/endendevertraege

There's a few in there that could add to us I reckon

[Sexual Ealing]

I see Jumbo McKennie's on there.

[VILLA MOLE]

I see Jumbo McKennie's on there.

the one who got away

[Ian.]

I would say Emery didn’t think Elliot is an upgrade on anyone else in the squad, so I would imagine if anyone is leaving they need to be better than the replacement therefore a massive upgrade on Elliot.

I'm not sure that's definitely true.  I think he could believe Elliott is better than some of his options in the squad, and also think the £30m he'd cost would be better spent elsewhere.  Both can be true.

If the £30m buy-clause wasn't there, I have no doubt we'd have seen as much of him (at least) as we have of Sancho.  The only reason he's not played, is because Unai wants to do something else with that £30m.  Which is obviously fair enough!

Good point Smithy. To be honest I do not even know what Elliot's preferred or best position is. One thing it really highlights is how strapped, or how tightly our hands are tied. £30m in this day an age is peanuts and generally a squad player for many of the Premier sides, especially the Sky Six.

[Sexual Ealing]

I see Jumbo McKennie's on there.

the one who got away

The only thing he ever got away from was the salad bar.