Aston Villa set to make decision on Jadon Sancho | OneFootball

Aston Villa’s January Transfer Plans: Sancho’s Uncertainty and New Faces

Aston Villa are reportedly contemplating a surprise decision regarding Jadon Sancho, with TeamTalk revealing that Unai Emery could allow the winger’s exit in the January transfer window. This comes after a somewhat underwhelming loan spell for the 25-year-old from Manchester United, with the England international struggling to secure regular Premier League starts. Having joined on loan for the season, Sancho has made only 13 appearances, with just five of them coming as starts, leaving the club reconsidering his future.

Sancho’s Loan Underwhelms Expectations

Since his arrival at Villa Park, Sancho has failed to make the desired impact, accumulating only 530 minutes of playtime. Despite his talent, he has not been able to consistently break into Emery’s starting XI. “Jadon is still young. He has had an amazing career and is now in a moment where he needs help to recover his best performance,” said Emery, continuing to publicly back the winger. “I believe in him and hopefully we can get it,” he added, indicating that he still sees potential in Sancho, despite his struggles.

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However, it appears Villa could be open to moving him on if another club shows interest. Borussia Dortmund, the club where Sancho previously thrived, is one of the teams monitoring his situation. Additionally, Ligue 1 side Monaco and Serie A’s ambitious Como are reportedly being approached as possible suitors. Despite Villa not having a recall option on Sancho’s loan, the willingness of other clubs to engage could lead to a potential exit.

Alysson Set to Join Villa in January

In a potential move to bolster their attacking options, Aston Villa are also in the process of finalising the signing of Brazilian talent Alysson from Gremio. Villa have agreed to a deal worth £8.7m, with an additional £1.8m in performance-related add-ons. The 19-year-old forward, who is considered one of Brazil’s brightest prospects, is set to join in January, further complicating Sancho’s prospects of regular first-team football. Gremio will also receive a 10% cut of any future sale of Alysson, highlighting the long-term investment Villa are making in the forward.

Brennan Johnson and Further Transfer Moves

Villa’s transfer activity is not limited to Alysson. They are reportedly exploring a move for Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson, although the report suggests that Crystal Palace are leading the race for the Wales international at this stage. The addition of Johnson could provide further competition for Sancho, diminishing his chances of reclaiming a starting spot.

As Villa continue to shape their squad under Emery, further moves are expected in January. Villa’s interest in players like Alysson and possibly Johnson shows a clear intention to strengthen their attacking depth.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

As an intrigued Aston Villa supporter, the news surrounding Jadon Sancho’s future is both surprising and intriguing. When Villa took him on loan from Manchester United, it was hoped that the winger would add the spark and creativity that the team sometimes lacks in the final third. However, his lack of consistent playing time and underwhelming performances leave me questioning whether the club has been too hasty in their assessment of him.

Emery’s decision to publicly back Sancho is admirable and speaks to his commitment to getting the best out of the player. However, it’s clear that Villa’s squad is evolving, and with the potential arrival of Alysson and the continuing interest in Brennan Johnson, the competition for places is only going to intensify. If Sancho is to stay, he needs to improve drastically.

From a fan’s perspective, the club’s focus on young, promising talent like Alysson is exciting. Villa’s strategic approach to scouting players like him gives hope that the team is building for the future, and that Emery’s vision for the club extends beyond short-term success. While I’m optimistic about the club’s direction, it will be interesting to see how the situation with Sancho develops. His departure could make way for someone more aligned with Villa’s current ambitions, but only time will tell if that move is ultimately for the best.