Setting their sights on summer targets, Aston Villa are now reportedly plotting a big-money move to sign an attacking target who’s with the same agency as on-loan winger Marco Asensio.
Aston Villa transfer news
After deciding to cash in on Jhon Duran in the January transfer window and opting to welcome the likes of Marcus Rashford and Asensio on loan rather than in permanent deals, Aston Villa could have money to burn this summer.
The Villans could certainly do with reinforcements too, having struggled to replicate last season’s top four success – albeit whilst impressing in the Champions League against the likes of Club Brugge.
If Unai Emery and those in the Midlands want to ensure that last season’s top four finish was more than just a flash in the pan, then the summer transfer will be more important than ever with a number of targets already emerging.
According to Journal de Noticias in Portugal, as relayed by Sports Witness, club sporting director Monchi is now plotting a move to sign Pedro Goncalves for Aston Villa this summer in a deal that would be worth €80m (£67m) if they were to trigger his Sporting Club release clause.
Monchi’s interest is not exactly new either, given that he was also eyeing a move to sign the winger last summer before ultimately turning his attention towards other targets. Now, one year later, even as the winger continues his road to recovery from injury, the sporting director has not given up on his pursuit.
What could help this time around is the fact that Goncalves is represented by the same agency as Asensio, who Aston Villa signed on loan in January. That prior deal should hand Monchi a working relationship to build on.
“Creative” Goncalves would be an upgrade on Bailey
Though Aston Villa’s current frontline is filled to the brim with quality, it won’t be too long before they’re forced back to the drawing board when both Rashford’s and Asensio’s loan moves come to an end. And that’s when they should turn their attention towards Goncalves, who would be an instant upgrade on the struggling Leon Bailey.
Compared to the Aston Villa man, the Sporting star has scored five goals and assisted a further six in just 12 appearances in all competitions this season. Bailey, meanwhile, has managed just two goals and three assists in 34 appearances – highlighting just how clinical Goncalves has been when fit and firing in Portugal.
They’re numbers that analyst Ben Mattinson likely saw coming after describing Goncalves as a “creative force” in 2023. Now, two years on, it’s Aston Villa who could take full advantage of those numbers.