Aston Villa will finalise their pre-season preparations with a friendly against French club Rennes on Saturday before the focus switches to their Premier League opener against Bournemouth on August 6th.
Villa boss Steven Gerrard is likely to field a new-look team against the Cherries having bedded in new signings including Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos as well as permanent transfers for Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen.
Left-back Ludwig Augustinsson became the fifth signing of the window when he joined on loan from Sevilla earlier this month but Gerrard has admitted that they are keeping an eye open for more incomings. Mirror Sport has rounded up the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip from Villa Park.
Kean will be costly
Villa’s reported interest in Everton striker Moise Kean looks likely to fall on stoney ground according to sources in Italy. The 22-year-old Italy international is currently on loan at Juventus and it appears getting him out of Goodison on a permanent basis could prove tricky. Calciomercato claim that it’s going to take on offer in excess of £32m to prise him away and that might be too rich for the Midlands club.
A possible exchange deal with Douglas Luiz has also been mooted but still any permanent deal looks light years away. Kean has been linked with several clubs in recent months including Steven Gerrard’s side, Fulham and Nottingham Forest.
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Chukwuemeka looks Milan bound
Villa are encountering other Italian complications, this time regarding highly-rated teenage midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka. The teenager is back training with Villa but Serie A champions AC Milan are reportedly look his likeliest destination. Gerrard has stressed that he’s keen to hang on to Chukwuemeka but there’s concern that the youngster still hasn’t responded to the offer of a new contract. Italian outlet La Gazetta dello Sport reckon the player has given the nod to join Milan if a deal can be brokered. With the player in the final year of his contract, Villa could be fighting a losing battle.
Archer in demand
Preston are keeping their fingers crossed that they can get Villa striker Cameron Archer back on loan for the coming season. The 20-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell at Deepdale last season, scoring seven goals. But the trouble for Preston boss Ryan Lowe is that he’s taken his goalscoring form into pre-season with Villa and that’s the last thing he needed. Lowe admits that he’s not sure he will be able to secure the youngster’s services for another campaign.
Lowe said: Ultimately he’s Villa’s player and I have to be careful what I say. I speak with Stevie on a regular basis and what I would say is he’s scoring goals for Villa on a regular basis right now.” Lowe is a big fan admitting that “every” Championship club would be interested in securing Archer’s services.
