Aston Villa given green light to make Gerard Deulofeu next January signing
Having already secured two transfers, Villa are working their way down a fan-approved shortlist of targets
Aston Villa’s January transfer strategy has been given the seal of approval by Villa fans.
Unai Emery’s side have made two additions in the transfer window, with Chicago Fire’s Jhon Duran joining Alex Moreno in making the switch to Villa Park.
Left-back Moreno made the move from Real Betis for £13.3m, justifying the decision of Villa fans to place him at the top of their January transfer targets.
Asked to place 11 potential January additions in order of priority, supporters had Moreno well ahead of nearest challenger Gerard Deulofeu.
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The fact that Villa are now reported to be homing in on a deal for the Udinese winger suggests Unai Emery is in tune with the fans’ thoughts as to where the squad needs strengthening.
The signing of Duran was more left-field - he wasn’t included in our poll - but the fourth player in the final shortlist is also reported to be close to making the switch.
Lyon striker Moussa Dembele has struggled for starts at the Ligue 1 side this term and with six months remaining on his contract, hopes are high he could further strengthen Emery’s attacking ranks.
Of the top four players in the Villa fans’ final shortlist, only one, Arnaut Danjuma, appears destined not to end the window at Villa Park. Despite the sacking of Frank Lampard the Villarreal winger looks set to complete a move to Everton.
Further down the list of potential January arrivals, Ismaila Sarr is expected to see out of the window at Watford, while Leeds have emerged as favourites to land Juve’s USA international Weston McKennie.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, are lining up a £22.5million deal for Nicolas Jackson who came in a lowly eighth on Villa’s list of transfer priorities.
And there were few Villa fans shedding a tear when Brazilian Danilo Oliveira opted to join Nottingham Forest - the 21-year-old came rock-bottom in the Rank Your Targets poll.
Rank Your Targets results
- Alex Moreno
- Gerard Deulofeu
- Arnaut Danjuma
- Moussa Demebele
- Ismaila Sarr
- Weston McKennie
- Lee Kang-In
- Nicolas Jackson
- Alberto Moleiro
- Mikel Merino
- Danilo Oliveira
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