Aston Villa continue to be linked with a host of players in the upcoming summer transfer window as Unai Emery looks to build a squad capable of fighting on two fronts.
Qualification for the Champions League means Villa are likely to need more depth and quality that the group which did so well to finish fourth this season, while also lifting the Europa League.
Villa are frequently connected with goalkeepers, central defenders and wide players, with rumours about players both arriving and leaving emerging on a daily basis.
Clause for thought
According to German outlet Bild, via Get Football News Germany, Moritz Nicolas has a €10m exit clause in his current contract.
The Borussia Mönchengladbach goalkeeper has been linked with Villa, with claims the club have already made an enquiry about the 28-year-old amid another summer of speculation around Emi Martinez’s future.
Nicolas is one of several names to have been linked after a season in which he kept 13 clean sheets in the Bundesliga and the emergence of the clause could be of interest to several clubs despiite Borussia’s apparent desire to keep him.
One variable is the fact the clause is time-limited and has to be activated before the end of the World Cup, with the final taking place on July 19.
No deal
Joe Gomez has been linked with Aston Villa but The Athletic claim the defender is now ‘likely to stay’ at Liverpool for the final year of his contract.
The 29-year-old, who can play anywhere across the back-line, had a disrupted season, starting on the bench and then picking up a couple of knocks.
He ended up making only seven Premier League starts – and 33 appearances in all competitions – but has the kind of versatility Emery likes.
Having initially been tipped to leave Anfield, the departure of Ibrahima Konate has led to suggestions Gomez will now stay.
Class act
Villa have acknowledged James Milner’s retirement by posting a message on social media.
The 40-year-old has today confirmed his intention to hang up his boots after a 24-year career including more than 650 Premier League appearances.
Part of that superb career, which saw him win the league with Manchester City and Liverpool, but also spent three seasons with Villa.
As a result the club have said: “A wonderful servant in claret and blue and one of the @PremierLeague’s all-time greats. Congratulations on an amazing, record-breaking career, @JamesMilner.”
Milner played 126 times for Villa in two spells at the club, eventually leaving for City in 2010.
Discussion about this post