Decisions Needed For Aston Villa
With Aston Villa seeming to buy very well this summer, it looks like manager Paul McGrath will delve into the transfer market for one more central midfielder to go with Englishmen Will Hughes & Fabian Delph & Tom Cleverley, Frenchman Yohan Cabaye and Brazilian/Portugese signing Gilherme. It looks to be out of three players for the last spot in the midfield area.
It is thought to be out of Manchester City's Dutch midfielder Jordy Clasie, Barcelona's Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic and Chelsea's Belgian central midfielder Thorgan Hazard.
Clasie may become a Villan, but is deemed the less likely
Manchester City's Jordy Clasie, 26 is currently on the transfer list for just £11,750,000 having disappointed at City since his £18,000,000 move to The Ettihad Stadium. Clasie is said to be looking for a new challenge and to also try and force his way into the Holland squad again. With Villa looking only for a back up to the regulars, the question is will he be able to rediscover the form to fight his way into the Villa side again.
Rakitic could well be a Villan before long
It is understood that McGrath is also looking at Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic. The 29 year old has been at Barcelona now for three seasons but has decided that he wants a new challenge. The central midfielder has played 79 times for
The Catalans and has also played for Schalke, Sevilla and FC Basel in his career but with the midfielder transfer listed for just £12,250,000 it seems the best deal out of the three and they would get someone who is able to play in the Champions League.
Hazard is the cheaper option
Lastly is Chelsea midfielder Thogan Hazard. The 24 year old Belgian has played at the highest level in the Champions League, all be it limited Champions League experience with Chelsea and would seem the better option to be a
squad player. The Belgian has only played for Chelsea for 28 times in four seasons since signing for The Blues for £800,000 from RC Lens in France. It is understood that the Belgian is on the transfer list for just £4,600,000 and with A.C Milan interested too, it would need McGrath to work very quickly to secure the sale.
Milner Signs For Villa
Milner resigns for Villa!
James Milner today went back to Villa on a free, seven seasons after leaving The Villans for £28,500,000. It is understood that when City told the Englishman that they were letting him leave, he contacted Villa to ask if they would want him and put pen to paper on a contract worth around £50,000 a week. Milner, who has 80 England caps to his name has just lifted the confederations cup with England and as he can play in central midfield too, works very hard for his team and Villa fans are understandably delighted he has returned to The Villans.
Delph Commits To Villans
Fabian Delph today signed a new Aston Villa contract worth £45,500 a week four year deal. The Englishman, who made his England breakthrough just last season has been a big presence for Aston Villa over the 3 and a half years that Paul McGrath has been in charge of the Villa side and Delph was over the moon to sign a new contract,
I am so happy to sign a brand new contract for the upcoming season in both the Premier League and the Champions League. I think we have improved the squad amazingly well and we will do well to launch a title challenge next season.
So Villa park is very busy these days so let the good times roll!