Aston Villa: No movement thus far for fringe players

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 05: Micah Richards of Aston Villa and Fernandinho of Manchester City compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on March 5, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 05: Micah Richards of Aston Villa and Fernandinho of Manchester City compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on March 5, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The date is June 24th, but thus far, we have not hard much in the way of Aston Villa’s fringe players. Will Steve Bruce and Tony Xia move these players to clear space and funds for new signings?

All is quiet on the transfer front.

Or so we’ve heard from reports abroad. Aston Villa do not currently have any deals in place for several players they are looking to move. Spanish midfielder Carles Gil would like to move to Deportivo La Coruña permanently, but so far it looks like the club can’t meet Villa’s valuation. Something will have to give otherwise another La Liga club will swoop in.

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Micah Richards is a tough sell for Villa chief executive, Keith Wyness. The former England international’s wages far exceed his usefulness for an acquiring club. Despite being unlikely to feature at Aston Villa, it’s difficult to envision Richards taking a pay-cut to play elsewhere.

Jordan Veretout is surely going to move for a hefty price. Just where, though, remains in question. His loan club last year, Saint-Etienne, is interested but not at Villa’s reported valuation, £7-8 million.

Perhaps a different Ligue 1 side will make a move for the French midfielder. Though, it’s possible Veretout would help in a promotion push come August. Steve Bruce should take Veretout on pre-season with him.

Likewise, Jordan Amavi should catch a nice price as well. Aston Villa acquired Amavi from OGC Nice in the summer of 2015 for £9 million. Atletico Madrid was extremely interested in the French left back, but that was before their international transfer ban upheld in court. So no Amavi to Madrid.

Mark Bunn is out of contract in five days, but we haven’t heard from his front, either. Hopefully Aston Villa settles its goalkeeping position well before the squad reports for pre-season training