Aston Villa: Five transfer targets under threat of relegation

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STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 23: Maxim Choupo-Moting of Stoke City celebrates after scoring his sides second goal with Kurt Zouma of Stoke City during the Premier League match between Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion at Bet365 Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /

2. CB – Kurt Zouma, 23, Chelsea (on-loan at Stoke City)

Along the lines of Hegazi, Kurt Zouma has been the best of the sullen bunch over at Stoke City.

The Chelsea defender was perhaps the hottest defensive prospect in all of football before a significant knee injury derailed his development. He’s back now, healthy, commanding over 2,500 minutes of Premier League action. With Antonio Conte likely departing Chelsea, will the incoming manager rate Zouma over current squad options? So much is in the air, but it is worth noting that a system change back to a 4-man backline takes one center back off the field. Switching from Stoke to Aston Villa as a Premier League starter is a horizontal career move for the Frenchman.

3. LW/AM – Ramadan Sobhi, 21, Stoke City

Keeping up with the Egyptian theme, here is young attacker Ramadan Sobhi. Sobhi has not enjoyed the best Premier League season, scoring twice in 21 top flight appearances (11 starts, ten substitute appearances), but he is a very intriguing attacker that fills a position of need for Aston Villa. Albert Adomah will enter his age-31 season while Robert Snodgrass (he himself, not certain to return on-loan or permanently) enters his age-31 season as well.

Sobhi is not well liked among the Stoke faithful, but the attacker might be worth taking a flyer on. In any case, Villa would need between 1-3 attacking reinforcements for season in the Premier League.

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