Aston Villa could sell three players in January who costed the club £32M combined
Aston Villa could look to trim their squad during the January transfer window with Leander Dendoncker, Bertrand Traore and Calum Chambers candidates to leave the Premier League high-flyers.
Whether this proves to be a smart move, however, remains to be seen.
With Aston Villa looking to balance domestic and European exploits this season – qualifying for the knock-out stages of the Europa Conference League – is it a really good idea to sell three potentially useful squad players ahead of what is set to be a packed fixture schedule?
According to The Athletic, there is ‘a good chance’ that Calum Chambers leaves Villa Park just 12 months after joining from title rivals Arsenal for a cut-price £2 million.
Dendoncker, a 2022 signing from Midland neighbours Wolves, is behind John McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Jacob Ramsey, Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara in Emery’s pecking order. The muscle-bound Belgian did, however, play a key role in Villa’s statement 1-0 win over Arsenal recently.
Traore, meanwhile, has seen his importance wane since a promising debut season under Dean Smith.
Unai Emery wants more from Leander Dendoncker
“I have had 10 months with him,” Emery told the Birmingham Mail of Dendoncker back in August. “And I am always trying to find (out how he can) be regular (consistent) every day, every month. Training, playing and getting his best performance.
“For some different circumstances, he didn’t do it.”
According to Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri, Dendoncker would prefer to stay in England if he is forced out of Aston Villa next month. There has been rumours of interest from Everton in some quarters.
