Aston Villa Transfer News: AVFC now after winger, club close to OK-ing exit

Aston Villa seem in no mood to cease their transfer activity for the winter as they have been linked with a Serie A star who could be sold by his club.

Villa have been busy during January, welcoming plenty of attacking arrivals like Alysson and Tammy Abraham, while they are on the verge of confirming another return to Villa Park in the shape of midfielder Douglas Luiz.

Unai Emery’s side appear keen to press on this season, which has the Villans locked in an unlikely title fight with Arsenal and Manchester City.

But despite a raft of offensive incomings over the past few weeks, Villa may yet get another before Monday’s deadline if the latest reports are to be believed.

According to journalist Fabrizio Blasin (via Sport Witness), Aston Villa are thought to have been in contact with Inter over the availability of winger Luis Henrique, with the Villans one of three Premier League sides to send enquiries to the Serie A leaders.

Bournemouth and Everton are the other clubs to have declared an interest in the Brazilian, with the Cherries said to be in pole position, having made an offer worth around €30m (£26m).

However, time may be on Villa’s side as they mull over a more concrete approach, as while Inter are open to selling Luis Henrique, they will only do so once they have a replacement sorted.

Inter have not confirmed anything as yet, though a return to the club for Ivan Perisic has been mooted.

The Nerrazzuri appear keen to re-sign the Croatian, but PSV are reportedly unwilling to budge at present, especially while their Champions League status hangs in the balance.

A European exit may soften the Dutch outfit’s stance and set things in motion, handing Luis Henrique the opportunity to come to the Premier League, but with Bournemouth ready to pay up, having let Antoine Semenyo go for big money earlier this month, Villa may have to get a move on.

Luis Henrique only joined Inter in the summer from Marseille for around £20m, and has been a key player recently, with the 24-year-old racking up nine league starts in the last 10 games – which may explain Bournemouth’s big offer.

And if that can help them prise Perisic away from PSV, there’s every chance a bidding war would work in Inter’s favour. Whether Villa can sanction another big deal as a result remains to be seen.

Graduated in Sport Journalism (BA) with first-class honours from the University of Brighton and has since had bylines in The Times, sports business publication SportsPro, Football FanCast and The Gooner fanzine.

You must be logged in to post a comment.