Aston Villacould recruit a Leon Bailey ‘upgrade’ by luringManchester UnitedstarJadon Sanchoto Villa Park, but transfer insiderDean Joneshas told GIVEMESPORT there is a key stumbling block to overcome.
The Villans have spentmore than £75millionon reinforcements since the summer window opened for business, and areclosing inon the addition of Galatasaray’s Nicolo Zaniolo, but head coach Unai Emery may seek further acquisitions with Europa Conference League action on the horizon.
Aston Villa transfer news – Jadon Sancho
According toCaughtOffside, Villa are monitoring Sancho’s situation and could make a late move during the final weeks of the transfer window.
The ɾєρօɾτ suggests the Midlands outfit are among a number of clubs chasing the winger, who has been on Manchester United’s books since sealing a£73million switchfrom Borussia Dortmund two years ago, and there is a possibility of him heading thɾօυɢҺ the Old Trafford exit door ahead of the September 1 deadline.
Despite the uncertainty over where Sancho’s long-term future lies, he came on as asubstituteas the Red Devils got their Premier League campaign up-and-running with a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday.
Italian journalist Rudy Galetti recentlytold GIVEMESPORTthatManchester Unitedare expecting the 23-year-old to be the subject of offers over the course of the coming weeks.
Although Tottenham Hotspur werelinkedwith Sancho earlier in the summer, a move to north London has not come to fruition.
It is likely that Villa would have to break their wage structure in order to win the race for the England international’s signature as he currently pockets£350,000-per-weekatManchester United.
What has Dean Jones said about Sancho?
Jones believes it will be difficult for Villa to temptManchester Unitedinto selling Sancho for a fraction of the price they paid for him.
But the respected journalist feels the former Manchester City trainee, who has been described as’perfect’by German legєɴԀ Lothar Matthaus, would give Emery’s side more of a spark than they currently have with Bailey.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT:”Given that they’re willing to take a hit on Harry Maguire, it would be strange for them to do the same thing on Sancho. You’d basically be giving up on two players you bought for in the region of £80million, and that’s not a great look.
“Sancho would be an upgrade on Bailey. I’m in no doubt about that. But I’m also just not convinced how far this can actually go.”
What’s next for Aston Villa?
Reliable talkSPORT ɾєρօɾτer Alex Crook recentlytold GIVEMESPORTthat Philippe Coutinho is likely to head thɾօυɢҺ the Villa exit door before the transfer window slams shut.
According to transfer expertFabrizio Romano, an unnamed Qatari club has asked to be kept informed of what it would take to coax the Brazilian away from his current employers.
The Italian journalist suggests Coutinho, who was limited to athree-minute cameo appearancewhen he came off the bench during Villa’s opening day defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday, could seal his exit if a suitable offer is tabled after he has also gained interest from big-spєɴԀing Saudi Arabian sides.
A reunion with former Villans chief Steven Gerrard could also be on the cards for the creative midfielder, who sealed a permanent switch worth£17millionfrom Barcelona last year.
That is because the Al-Ettifaq boss iskeento link-up with Coutinho once again, while Turkish giants Besiktas failed with aloan offerwhich included an option to make the transfer permanent for close to £7million.