For Aston Villa, contract negotiations have often had to wait until after the transfer window closes in recent years, due to uncertainty over what they can and cannot swing as a result of UEFA financial restrictions.
This year is no different, and now the window is shut, information is coming through regarding Villa’s interest in extending the deals of a host of players.
Jacob Tanswell reported earlier this week that Villa intend to negotiate new contracts with Ian Maatsen, Ross Barkley, Emiliano Buendia, Victor Lindelof and potentially Lamare Bogarde, while Sebastian Denis claimed on Friday that Amadou Onana is also set for an extension.
But are all of these smart moves for Villa to make? Let’s examine them case by case.
Maatsen’s current contract has three years to run, and his situation feels like one they would rather have kicked down the road for another year if not for interest from Manchester United late in the transfer window.
The 24-year-old is only just getting his first real crack at being Villa’s full-time starting left-back, and in an ideal world, Villa would see how it goes this season before making a decision on his future, especially after signing Matteo Ruggeri to compete with him this summer.
But the interest from United has forced Villa’s hand, as Maatsen’s agent will undoubtedly be telling the club that if they are not going to sell him, he wants a new contract to reflect his importance.
That seems like the path they will ultimately take, and even if it was not in the plans originally, it is unlikely to be a disastrous decision given his age and ability.
Onana’s case is an interesting one, as like Maatsen his contract does not expire until 2029, and he is recovering from an ACL injury which is expected to knock him out for most of this season.
It would be a real show of faith from Villa, who perhaps want to lock him down as a key member of the team for years to come. Such a commitment to an injured player would surely go down well with Onana and his camp, but there is at least some risk involved.
Villa could easily take the stance that they want to see Onana recover cleanly from the knee injury and address his contract once he is back on the field, when he will still have two years left. This may be a case of protecting his value with a longer contract, and is a fine, if unusual decision.
In terms of players whose contracts run out at the end of this season, the situations of Barkley, Buendia and Lindelof are a little more complex.
Barkley turns 33 in December and realistically, Villa should not be desperate to renew his deal given they have Onana, Boubacar Kamara, Joao Gomes, Leon Goretzka and Lamare Bogarde as midfield options all under contract beyond this season.
He was a smart addition from Luton a couple of years ago and has added value when he has played, but keeping him around after this year feels unnecessary.
Similarly, Lindelof will turn 33 just after his contract is set to expire next year. Although he has been terrific since joining as a free agent and Unai Emery clearly appreciates his work ethic and professionalism, it is worth questioning if this is a deal Villa need to do.
They have just signed Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who presumably will overtake him as the starting right-sided centre-back eventually, and also have Modou Keba Cisse coming through.
The natural succession plan would seem to be Harwood-Bellis and Cisse being the two right-sided options next season. Even if they are not convincing enough, keeping Lindelof as a third option may limit Villa’s scope to go after a higher profile solution next year.
Lindelof feels like a player Villa should thank for his service and move on from at the end of the season.
It would be easy to feel obliged to hand Buendia an extension before he becomes a free agent at season’s end, but contract negotiations are no place for sentimentality.
He turns 30 this year and there is doubt over his place in the starting lineup following numerous new signings in attack. That said, Buendia is clearly an important figure in the dressing room, and Villa have lost plenty of those this summer.
If he is happy to stay with a reduced role and is not going to break the bank, this makes sense for Villa.
Bogarde, whose contract is up in 2028, has been a useful utility player under Emery but does not seem likely to elevate himself to a starting position.
The Athletic claimed the club received a £20m bid from Sunderland for the 22-year-old this summer, so Villa will need to either cash in on that value sooner rather than later, or extend his contract to protect it.
Which of those routes they take should become clear by the end of January at the latest, as Villa will not want him to enter the final 12 months of his contract.
Two players not mentioned in the reporting who have expiring contracts were Marco Bizot and Tyrone Mings, which is an indication this is likely their final season at Villa Park.
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