Aston Villa transfer news dominated another busy day as Zion Suzuki underwent his medical, Ollie Watkins was linked with Al-Hilal and João Palhinha’s route to Villa Park appeared to reopen.
Unai Emery still has significant business to resolve before the transfer window closes, with uncertainty surrounding both arrivals and departures.
Villa are also less than a week away from their Premier League opener at Brighton, making the next stage of their recruitment particularly important.
Zion Suzuki undergoes Aston Villa medical
The most advanced piece of business concerns Zion Suzuki.
Villa have agreed a deal with Parma for the Japan international, with Fabrizio Romano reporting a package worth €30million plus €5m in add-ons.
Suzuki underwent his medical on Monday as Villa moved closer to completing one of their biggest signings of the summer.
The intriguing part is that Villa have continued with the transfer despite Emi Martínez remaining at the club.
Juventus ended their pursuit of Martínez after failing to reach an agreement, with the Italian club instead turning their attention elsewhere. Suzuki is nevertheless expected to arrive as Villa’s new long-term goalkeeping option.
That leaves Emery with a fascinating decision ahead of Brighton.
Ollie Watkins attracts serious Al-Hilal interest
Villa could also have a major situation developing at the other end of the pitch.
Transfer journalist Gianluigi Longari reports that Ollie Watkins has given his approval to a possible move to Al-Hilal, with discussions taking place between the Saudi club and Villa.
There is no agreement for Watkins to leave at this stage.
However, separate reporting confirms Al-Hilal have identified the England international as a potential attacking addition as they consider changes to their forward line.
Watkins scored 16 Premier League goals last season and remains Emery’s established first-choice striker.
Villa therefore have a major decision to make if Al-Hilal turn their interest into a substantial offer.
Nicolas Jackson plan suddenly becomes more important
Watkins’ situation also brings Villa’s previous striker planning back into focus.
ReadAstonVilla reported last month that Nicolas Jackson was among the forwards being considered if Watkins or Tammy Abraham departed.
Jackson would offer Premier League experience and already knows Emery from their time together at Villarreal.
There are complications.
Chelsea’s valuation is substantial, while Atlético Madrid have also considered Jackson as they assess attacking options.
Villa have therefore done the sensible work by identifying alternatives before a striker vacancy develops.
If Watkins leaves, those contingency plans would suddenly need to become considerably more concrete.
João Palhinha door refuses to close
Villa’s long-running pursuit of João Palhinha also produced another twist.
Bayern Munich had previously rejected Villa’s proposed loan with an option to buy, leading sporting director Max Eberl to suggest an agreement between the clubs was unlikely.
However, Eberl has since indicated that Bayern could still consider another loan if the financial package, including the loan fee, is attractive enough.
That offers Villa a route back into negotiations.
Villa have pursued Palhinha for several weeks, with Emery needing additional midfield security following significant changes to his squad.
Bayern remain open to moving the Portugal international on, although other clubs continue to monitor his situation.
Villa’s preferred structure may not have worked first time.
It no longer appears completely impossible.
Leon Bailey exit talks continue
Leon Bailey is another player whose future remains unresolved.
Hull City have pursued the Jamaica international throughout the summer, while interest has also emerged from elsewhere.
Villa previously set their position over a possible Bailey exit as Emery continued reshaping his attacking options.
Bailey was left out of Villa’s pre-season trip to Asia while discussions over his future progressed, with Hull among the clubs trying to secure him.
The winger is now entering the final year of his contract.
A permanent departure would therefore give Villa an opportunity to recover a fee rather than allowing his value to decline further.
It could also create room for another attacking addition before the window closes.
Matteo Ruggeri deal moves closer
Villa are also working on their defence.
Matteo Ruggeri is expected to complete his switch from Atlético Madrid, with reporting placing the deal at around £17million.
The Italian travelled to Birmingham as the transfer moved into its final stages.
Ruggeri would give Emery another option on the left following Lucas Digne’s departure, while Villa have also held talks over West Ham right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Those moves suggest the defensive rebuild could continue even after the goalkeeper position is resolved.
Brighton now comes into focus
For all the transfer activity, competitive football is nearly here.
Villa begin their Premier League campaign away to Brighton at 2pm on Sunday, before facing Arsenal, Hull City, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Brentford in their next five fixtures.
ReadAstonVilla’s full Premier League fixture guide outlines what quickly becomes an important opening block for Emery.
Before then, several major questions could receive answers.
Suzuki appears closest to becoming the latest new arrival.
Palhinha remains possible, Bailey could leave and Watkins now has fresh uncertainty surrounding his future.
Villa have plenty of moving parts.
The next challenge is turning them into a settled squad before the Premier League begins.
