As Aston Villa continues its ascent under Unai Emery, the 2026 summer transfer window presents a golden opportunity to add elite talent without the burden of heavy transfer fees.
With several high-profile contracts set to expire, Villa is positioning itself to be a primary destination for the world’s most sought-after free agents.
This summer, many players contracts are expiring, leaving them the opportunity to join a new club on a free transfer.
A few of them are the type of profile Unai Emery likes and wants in his teams. Aston Villa are likely to enter the free agent market to bolster their squad without having to spend on transfer fees.
Here are five free agents that Villa should consider this summer:
1. Harry Wilson – Fulham
Villa are already rumoured to be interested in signing Harry Wilson on a free transfer. The Welshman is having a stellar season at Fulham, scoring 10 goals and 6 assists in 29 appearances in the Premier League.
Since moving from Liverpool in July 2021, Wilson has been average at best. He has struggled with consistency and lacked goal threat until now. This season, he seems to be a completely different player, full of confidence and looking dangerous on the ball.
Whilst Emiliano Buendia started very well at Villa this season, the last few months, he has dropped in performance. Replacing Buendia with Wilson seems like an excellent move for Villa; signing a player who is starting to find consistency is exactly what they need.
Emery loves the here and now, and Wilson has the experience and quality to fulfill Emery’s wishes.
2. Marco Senesi – Bournemouth
Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings are two very different players. Torres is far more comfortable on the ball, loves to drive forward and can play a pass that splits the opposition’s backline.
Mings is more of a brute, strong in tackles and very good aerially. Emery has rotated them when they have both been available, depending on the type of opposition Villa face. Marco Senesi has a mixture of both their qualities, and signing him on a free transfer would be sensible by Villa.
He has been ever-present in a Bournemouth backline that has constantly altered each season. At 28-years-old, Senesi is in his prime, and a move to Villa would be the next level in his career.
The potential of Champions League football and an elite coach is the right combination for him to improve and become a mainstay in the Argentinian national team.
3. Jadon Sancho – Manchester United
Jadon Sancho joined on loan at Aston Villa on Deadline Day of last summer’s transfer window. Coming off the back of an average spell at Chelsea and being axed completely out of the Manchester United squad, there was a sense that his career was falling away from him.
But as proven by the revitalisation of Marcus Rashford under Emery, Sancho is starting to find his spark again. He’s been slow-going this season, but with every match, he has been getting better and better.
His defensive work rate has improved astronomically, and every time he drives forward, he looks dangerous. With two club POTM awards, voted by Villa supporters, in his last two games, everyone at Villa Park is beginning to see a Sancho full of confidence.
There are barriers to signing him on a free transfer, such as his £250,000 a week wages, which Villa would not be able to pay. Sancho’s old club, Borussia Dortmund, is also interested in making a move for him, but if he continues to shine at Villa and enjoys his football he may be interested in staying on.
4. Oscar Mingueza – Celta Vigo
The right-back position has been a target for Emery in every transfer window since he became manager in 2022, but he always felt there were other positions to address first. Oscar Mingueza was linked to a move to Villa in January 2025, but they never made an official offer. Now, with his contract set to expire this summer, Villa may revisit a deal with the Spaniard.
A product of Barcelona’s academy, Mingueza joined Celta Vigo on a free transfer in August 2022. He has since gone on to make 136 appearances, scoring 7 goals and registering 15 assists.
Celta Vigo plays with a wing-back system, enabling Mingueza to get further forward. His versatility to play as a centre-back and in midfield will appeal to Emery. At 26, he still has a lot of football ahead of him, and there is still time for him to improve even more.
With Matty Cash having one of his best seasons in a Villa shirt, adding Mingueza to the squad would provide some quality competition.
5. Julian Brandt – Borussia Dortmund
Julian Brandt is another player who, like Wilson, is the exact profile Emery likes to target. Brandt has a wealth of experience, playing over 500 games in his career so far. A move to Villa would certainly add quality to their attack, something that has been in short supply this season.
The German international can cover a variety of different positions, which would give Emery options when altering tactics.
Brandt has a lot of interest, so Villa will have to move quickly if they want to fend off other clubs. Once again, there will be an appeal to play for Villa given their exciting project, but securing Champions League football is vital in order for them to sign the calibre of players like Brandt.
Securing even two of these high-caliber free agents would allow the club to redirect its budget toward a marquee signing elsewhere, ensuring that the Emery era remains defined by constant progression and tactical sophistication.
