""I am happy with the transfer window, it is true that we are continuing to work until the last day because we want to increase the level, but it is not easy to increase the level because the squad is a top squad.""Monchi - speaking to TalkSport
Aston Villa's President of Football Operations Monchi has had his say on the transfer window so far and said that the club are still looking to complete more deals before the window shuts in 16 days time.
Villa have been one of the busier clubs in the transfer market having completed a number of signings in the opening few weeks of the transfer window. Seven players have been signed so far at a cost of around £130 million. These players are Amadou Onana (£50m), Ian Maatsen (£37.5m), Ross Barkley (£5m), Jaden Philogene (£13m), Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea (£22m approx. combined), and Lewis Dobbin (£9m).
That £130 million spent has been balanced by the money brought in by the club through player sales. Moussa Diaby joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad for a fee in the region of £50.5 million whilst Douglas Luiz (£42m), Omari Kellyman (£19m) and Tim Iroegbunam (£13m).
Villa fans are keen to see more signings come through the door with concerns growing that although a greater level of depth has been added to the squad, there may not have been Champions League quality added.
Spot on, we were reduced to a very limited squad last season thanks to injuries and the players were overused as a result, this season we will have more depth for sure but the only worrying thing for me is the spending restrictions stopping us buying who we need making it tough.
— 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝑨𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝑽𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂 ⭐ (@0neAstonVilla) August 14, 2024
Villa's main transfer target for a number of weeks has been Joao Felix. The Atletico Madrid forward has reportedly been in contact with Unai Emery and is open to a move to Villa Park (Birmingham Live) but the Spanish club's move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher could see Felix be used as part of the deal and therefore be in a Chelsea shirt next season.
If a move for Felix doesn't materialise then Villa will look to other targets and the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Giovani Lo Celso have been linked. It is likely that Jhon Duran, despite a number of efforts from player and agents to move on, will remain at Villa Park next season. This therefore means Villa are looking for a player to replace Moussa Diaby.
Meanwhile, talks are in progress with Feyenoord regarding the signing of Dutch defender Lutsharel Geertruida. The Netherlands international has been described as an 'elite' defender and could cost Villa up to £30 million. Therefore, the sale of Diego Carlos to Fulham, should the deal complete as expected, will help to fund that move.
🚨 Aston Villa are still trying to sign Lutsharel Geertruida but are yet to reach an agreement with Feyenoord — they want €35m. @ESPNnl #avfc
— villareport (@villareport) August 14, 2024
With a couple of weeks left in the transfer window Monchi and Villa have a lot of work to do to ensure the Villa squad are in a good place to be competitive across the Premier League and Champions League next season. However, interviews with John McGinn and Unai Emery with Talk Sport have suggested that PSR rules have made it a very difficult transfer period for the club and their ambitions to build their squad have been effectively blocked by the Profit and Sustainability Rules.
UTV