Aston Villa: Current Transfer Deals, Targets, and Rumors

Defenders:

James Justin: One of Aston Villa’s first links during this transfer window, possibly spurning on the likes of Leicester City and Celtic to get involved. Aston Villa are not the front-runners there by any means, and it has been reported that Leicester are locked in as the lead dog to acquire his services.

Transfer Likelihood: 2/10

Tyrone Mings: A priority for Aston Villa. Widely reported that he will cost ~£15million. I have almost 0 doubt that this will get done. “#Announce Mings” has to be trending at this point.

Transfer Likelihood: 9.9/10

Kortney Hause: He would come far cheaper than Mings, and I think the club will take a wait-and-see approach here. If they can acquire some of their more high-value signings, then Hause will not be pursued. I think this is kind of a fall-back option.

Update: Villa activated their option-to-buy for £3 million. Personal terms await.

Transfer Likelihood: 9/10

Axel Tuanzebe: He’s going to stay with United.

Transfer Likelihood: 0/10

Gary Cahill: This is an interesting one. Cahill has played alongside John Terry before, and there could be instant rapport on the sidelines because of this. A lot of players on this list are linked to the club because  of their ties to manager Dean Smith and his staff. Cahill is no exception, and he would be a free transfer. Surely having one extra veteran wouldn’t hurt.

Transfer Likelihood: 3/10

James Tavernier: This dude has had an insane attacking output for Rangers, and would certainly fit the system for Dean Smith. However, have we forgotten about Frédéric Guilbert? Unless Guilbert can play LB, this particular transfer doesn’t make a ton of sense.

Transfer Likelihood: 3/10

*Note* – Both Justin and Tavernier have been linked with Leicester, and the likelihood of a Villa transfer for either player would jump a notch (maybe 2/3 for Justin) if the foxes were to acquire either player.

Midfielders:

Joe Aribo: Celtic, Rangers, Man City, and Aston Villa are all linked to Aribo, who enjoyed a solid season for Charlton Athletic in League One. Should he want to play immediately, Celtic or Rangers are probably his best bets. I’m not reading much into this one.

Transfer Likelihood: 3/10

Kalvin Phillips: This was one of the earliest reported links, and one that makes sense following the departures of Whelan and Jedinak. He fits the system, is  young, is available-ish, wouldn’t be crazy expensive, and would fill a large positional need.

Transfer Likelihood: 6/10

Rubén Alcaraz: Yes this fits a need, but I’m not really sure where this interest has come from. This feels like something that’s never going to get any traction.

Transfer Likelihood: 1/10

Valentin Rongier: It might be tough to pry him away from Nantes, as that is the only club he has ever served. Lyon are reportedly suitors as well, and the prospect of Champions League football is likely far greater than what Villa could possibly offer.

Transfer Likelihood: 2/10

Jota: Can play CAM or RM/RW, so I’ll just put him here. This deal is completed.

Transfer Likelihood: 10/10