Aston Villa finished their three-game tour of Australia with a draw against fellow Premier League side Manchester United as Steven Gerrard's side continued their unbeaten run in pre-season.
Villa are now back in the UK with just under two weeks until the season opener against Bournemouth where Gerrard is likely to field a new-look team. Villa completed plenty of early business in the window, sealing deals for Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos as well as permanent transfers for Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen.
Left-back Ludwig Augustinsson became the fifth signing of the window when he joined on loan from Sevilla earlier this month but Gerrard has admitted that they are keeping an eye open for more incomings. Exits are also expected too and here Mirror Sport takes a look at the latest transfer news and rumours.
Milan step up Chukwuemeka efforts
Carney Chukwuemeka has given his "approval" to a transfer to AC Milan, according to reports in Italy. The England U19 star is yet to sign a new contract with Villa amid interest from top European clubs including Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. Chukwuemeka was left out of Gerrard's squad to tour Australia as pre-season preparations continue ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
Italian outlet Calciomercato now claim that AC Milan are "serious" about their pursuit of Chukwuemeka and La Gazzetta dello Sport add that Chukwuemeka has given his "approval" to the Serie A champions over a move. La Gazzetta dello Sport report that the fee would be in the region of £15million as the player has just 12 months left on his current deal. Chukwuemeka made 12 Premier League appearances for Villa last season and started one game under Gerrard. Elsewhere Sky Sports claim that Chukwuemeka has no interest in discussing a new contract with Villa and wants to play more top flight-games.
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Guilbert future clearer
Villa's French right-back Frederic Guilbert spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, where he made 35 appearances in all competitions. And he could be heading out on loan again this term or be sold after he was not on the squad bus for Villa’s pre-season game against Manchester United Down Under on tour. Instead he was on the media bus, with journalist Ashley Preece suggesting that his omission was a potential nod to his future prospects. Preece said on the Claret & Blue podcast : “Once they’re back in the UK, they’ll start streamlining that squad, a few will head off. I’ve seen Guilbert. He wasn’t on the team bus, he was on like the media bus. Guilbert, again – that’s quite telling. He wasn’t involved in the squad, nor was Bertrand Traore.”
Challenge for Wesley
Forgotten striker Wesley could make a permanent Villa exit next summer if he fires loan club Levante to promotion, according to the Express and Star. The Brazilian striker has join the Spanish Second Division outfit for the season on terms which include an option to buy, for around £9million, should they successfully regain top flight status. Wesley, 25, is looking to rebuild a career which has stalled since he suffered a serious knee injury playing for Villa against Burnley in January, 2020, which kept him sidelined for 15 months.
The forward was the club’s record signing when he joined for £21million from Club Brugge in 2019 but has made just three substitute appearances for Villa since returning from injury, spending last season on loan at Brugge and then back in Brazil with Internacional. He has two years remaining on his Villa Park contract.
