Toney, Tielemans and other Aston Villa transfers set to be completed
Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard will oversee a summer reshuffle at the end of the season.
Gerrard is set to preside over his first pre-season in charge of the club since taking over from Dean Smith in November. Villa owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens will support Gerrard in the transfer market, but he will also need to develop the players in his squad.
It is hoped that a push for the European places will be on the cards next season and in order to build a team that can meet this challenge, some changes will have to be made. A key priority for Villa is bringing in a defensive midfielder with Kalvin Phillips and Yves Bissouma from Leeds United and Brighton and Hove Albion respectively the two targets.
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Depending on who Gerrard decides to let go, other positions of need could arise, but an anchor in midfield is key this summer. We have looked at the players that bookmaker SkyBet offers to sign.
Here are the latest ratings…
Jesse Lingard – 6/1
Lingard is expected to be part of the summer bargain transfers with the out-of-contract winger at the end of the season. The 29-year-old is expected to leave Old Trafford and he revived his reputation as a great player with a loan move to West Ham United last season.
He was unable to bounce back at United and made just one start in the entire campaign, scoring twice. A move looks the most likely outcome and West Ham (7/4) and Newcastle United (6/4) are ahead of Villa in betting.
Kalvin Phillips – 8/1
Phillips is believed to be one of Villa’s top targets this summer, with the Leeds star having been sought after by Gerrard since 2019. Villa are second favorites behind Manchester United to sign Phillips, with the Old Trafford side their direct rivals in goal to take down childhood. Leeds fan.
The Hammers had a big offer for the England star rejected in January as they prepare for the potential departure of Declan Rice. Villa will try again for Phillips this summer, but with Leeds avoiding relegation issues, a deal will be difficult.
Eden Hazard – 10/1
Villa certainly won’t sign Hazard this summer, but the same was said of Philippe Coutinho in January. Hazard’s move to Real Madrid in 2019 didn’t go to plan at all and he’s only made three starts this season, with injury ruling him out of many games.
The 31-year-old continues to be linked with a return to the Premier League and Villa are expected to be in contention with Chelsea and Newcastle. Hazard is contracted at Madrid until 2024 and will likely be on the big payday.
Youri Tielemans – 10/1
The Leicester City Tielemans star is one player who will likely be available this summer with the Belgian’s contract at the end of next season. The former AS Monaco midfielder was a £40million arrival from the principality side in 2019 and he has been superb for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
However, with his contract ongoing, City will likely consider moving him to avoid losing a fee. Man United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal have all been credited with an interest in Tielemans.
Ivan Toney – 16/1
Another player Villa are highly unlikely to be for, Toney has made it to the Premier League with ease this season. He helped Brentford to promotion last season with 33 goals and ten assists and has netted 14 and five each respectively so far in 2021-22.
Toney will have no shortage of suitors this summer and there are reports that Newcastle could replace Villa striker Ollie Watkins. Toney has also been linked with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal.