{"id":257141,"date":"2026-08-10T19:20:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T19:20:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/10\/exclusive-aston-villa-now-in-pole-position-to-sign-21-4m\/"},"modified":"2026-08-10T19:20:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T19:20:14","slug":"exclusive-aston-villa-now-in-pole-position-to-sign-21-4m","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/10\/exclusive-aston-villa-now-in-pole-position-to-sign-21-4m\/","title":{"rendered":"Exclusive: Aston Villa now in pole position to sign \u00a321.4m"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Aston Villa<\/a>\u2019s active summer transfer window looks set to continue, with NSWE<\/a> now in pole position to bring a \u00a321.4m \u201cmonster\u201d to Villa Park alongside left-back Matteo Ruggeri.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

After winning the Europa League last season, Unai Emery<\/a> has had to once again oversee a considerable reshaping of his squad.<\/p>\n

Some major names have departed, most notably Morgan Rogers to Chelsea and Youri Tielemans to Manchester United, while Lucas Digne has now completed his move to Paris Saint-Germain.<\/p>\n

Villa have spent heavily themselves, with Johan Manzambi and Joao Gomes among the headline additions, while Alejandro Garnacho has arrived on loan from Chelsea.<\/p>\n

Emery’s rebuild is showing little sign of slowing down and Atletico Madrid’s Ruggeri is on course to be the latest arrival in the Midlands.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Isabel Infantes<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Ruggeri would provide Emery with a natural left-sided defender to challenge Ian Maatsen following Digne’s exit, but he may not be the final new face through the door.<\/p>\n

That’s because a third midfield arrival could be on the cards in the form of Joao Palhinha.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Player<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Position<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Age<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

What they offer Aston Villa<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Amadou Onana<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Defensive midfield<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

24<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

A powerful, athletic holding midfielder who offers ball-winning ability, but is currently sidelined through injury.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Boubacar Kamara<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Defensive midfield<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

26<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

One of Villa\u2019s most composed midfielders, providing defensive intelligence and quality in possession.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Lamare Bogarde<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Defensive midfield<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

22<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

A versatile young option who adds energy and defensive depth.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Joao Gomes<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Central midfield<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

25<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

A tenacious, high-energy midfielder who brings Premier League-proven pressing and tackling.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

John McGinn<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Central midfield<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

31<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Villa\u2019s experienced leader the class and flexibility to operate centrally, further forward or out wide.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Ross Barkley<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Central midfield<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

32<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

A reliable squad option who offers progressive passing, ball-carrying and an attacking threat.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Johan Manzambi<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Attacking midfield<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

20<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

The most attack-minded option of the group, providing youthful creativity, technical quality and the potential to develop into a major player.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

There has been speculation over a move from Bayern Munich, with director of football Damian Vidagany recently confirming that talks were on<\/a> over a deal for the midfielder labelled a \u201cmonster<\/a>\u201d defensively by performance analyst Marcus Bring.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Aston Villa in pole position for Joao Palhinha<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

According to Football FanCast sources, <\/strong>Aston Villa are indeed stepping up their efforts to sign Palhinha from Vincent Kompany’s side, who are ready to sell on a permanent basis for around \u20ac25m (\u00a321.4m).<\/p>\n

Villa are now at the front of the queue and in pole position to sign Palhinha, despite interest from Premier League<\/a> rivals Newcastle United.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Spurs-Joao-Palhinha-Wolves\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The Portugal international spent last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur but has been told he has no future at Bayern, opening the door to another move to England.<\/p>\n

Palhinha’s qualities are already extremely familiar to Premier League supporters. His no-nonsense approach made him an outstanding ball-winner during two seasons with Fulham before a big-money move to Bayern.<\/p>\n

Villa’s interest becomes even more understandable when considering what has happened to their midfield this summer.<\/p>\n

Tielemans has left and Amadou Onana faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines following a serious injury at the World Cup.<\/p>\n