Fabrizio Romano: Aston Villa have held ‘initial talks’ to sign ‘talented’ player from elite club

Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Aston Villa’s transfer plans this afternoon as Unai Emery and co eye up an elite club’s ‘talented’ star.

Villa targeting striker and midfielder for Emery this window
Villa’s January transfer window has been marked by some setbacks as Emery battles to strengthen his squad during a crucial period.

The Midlands club are desperately seeking attacking reinforcements after losing Donyell Malen to Roma, with Tammy Abraham representing their leading candidate (Sky Sports).

Villa’s hierarchy travelled to Istanbul on Monday evening to run the rule over Abraham, (Sky Sports), accelerating their attempts to bring back the striker who thrived during his 2018/19 loan spell.

An agreement on personal terms with Abraham has already been reached (Fabrizio Romano), yet obstacles persist as the Turkish club must secure a replacement before permitting his departure (Sky Sports).

Besiktas have also activated their purchase obligation from Roma, creating additional layers of complexity as Villa look to strike a reunion with the ex-Chelsea man.

Emery’s side have alternatives to Abraham, like Crystal Palace striker Jean Philippe-Mateta, who David Ornstein has confirmed is a target for the Villans as a plan B option.

While there is a willingness to get the Abraham deal done on all sides, Ornstein also says that negotiations are proving ‘complex’, so Mateta could be looked to instead.

Elsewhere in the team, Emery is also on the hunt for a new midfielder.

Villa’s midfield recruitment suffered a damaging blow after their Conor Gallagher deal collapsed. The club had secured a loan deal with Atlético Madrid, including an obligation to buy this summer, only for Tottenham to intervene with a £34 million hijack.

The situation deteriorated further when Boubacar Kamara received confirmation that he will miss the remainder of the campaign with a severe knee problem.

The 26-year-old sustained the damage during Villa’s FA Cup triumph at Tottenham, withdrawn in the opening nine minutes after being caught in a collision with Joao Palhinha.

Now, their need for a new man in the engine room is pretty evident, and AC Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek has emerged as an option in the last 24 hours.

Aston Villa hold ‘initial talks’ to sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek

A plethora of reports have indicated that the former Chelsea midfielder is now a target for Villa, with journalist Graeme Bailey one of the first to claim that Loftus-Cheek is being offered to the club.

Romano has also joined in on the act, sharing information that Villa have held ‘initial talks’ over a deal for the 29-year-old.

Loftus-Cheek’s deal is due to expire next year, potentially lowering his value, but Romano also says that Milan have opened talks over a contract extension to prevent a cheap exit.

The England international has made nearly 100 appearances for Milan since joining the Rossoneri in 2023, often displaying superb form with 11 goals and four assists from midfield in that time.

Loftus-Cheek’s proven Premier League experience, where he won two titles with Chelsea, and enjoyed productive loan spells at Fulham and Crystal Palace, makes him a solid candidate to bolster Emery’s options.

Reports suggest Villa want to loan the Londoner as well, and if possible, that would make great value for money amid their well-known financial constraints.

Owen Hargreaves has piled praise on the player since his switch to Italy, calling him a ‘talented’ ace who’s blossomed that side of Europe.

“I know he’s always been a star as a young man but he probably should have made this move (abroad) a little bit sooner,” Hargreaves said in 2024.

“He’s such a talented guy. Probably played a little bit deeper at times. This is where he’s at his absolute best, arriving in the box with his size. He’s a good header of the ball. He’s got goals in him.”