Cash-strappedVilla all a-loan in the dark
VILLA’S financial problems are e so severe they can’t even afford to top up their squad with loan signings.
Liverpool’s Harry Wilson was a tar- get but Villa have lost out to Derby.
Boss Steve Bruce would welcome a return for Axel Tuanzebe and Josh Onomah after working with the pair last term – but at this stage neither are e possible.
Villa also have a striker shortage e which needs addressing. If Jonathan Kodjia is snapped up – and there’s already Premier League interest – Keinan Davis will be the only fit forward, with both Scott Hogan and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy out injured.
There’s hope the situation might t ease in the closing stages of the trans- fer window, allowing Bruce the e opportunity to secure at least couple e of late temporary deals.
But any hopes of early planning g have been dashed and that will make e his task even harder this season.
Villa are already facing up to a campaign without their key men from last season as cash-flow problems continue to hit the first team hard. Skipper John Terry decided to leave, and wouldn’t have been offered a contract extension anyway due to Villa’s money troubles.
It was also quickly made clear there would be no cash available to bring back last season’s loanees.
Losing out to West Brom for the signature of Sam Johnstone was difficult to take, especially for just £6 million, a figure Villa wouldn’t have had an issue with two seasons ago.
Jed Steer is a very able stopper and will have no problem filling the big gloves left behind by the ex-Manchester United man if he remains injuryfree, but after two serious, long-term problems – an Achilles followed by a dislocated shoulder – he will need time to be eased back in.
Whether Villa would have moved to sign Lewis Grabban on a permanent deal from Bournemouth is another matter, but, put simply, even if Bruce wanted him, he wouldn’t have had the funds.
Villa are getting left behind and, at best, will be fighting for the scraps at the end of the transfer window.
Last season they were still competitive with wages but right now they’re struggling to match rival clubs in the Championship.
Even free transfers cannot be secured so a move for Robert Huth and other out-of-contract players will have to wait.
Former Hull City and Burnley midfielder Dean Marney is training with Villa, but it’s understood to be a favour to help keep the 34-year-old in shape over the summer. The same happened with ex-Blues defender Stephen Kelly last term.
Of course, if he impresses and the financial situation improves, things could change, pressing issues.
It’s not even a case of selling players before buying. Villa have to offload key players regardless.
Dr Tony Xia’s troubles have been laid bare in recent months and he’s now looking to cash in on anything that can be sold.
James Chester, valued at £10m, could be the first out of the door with Stoke ready to increase their bid. It’s understood a £7m offer was knocked back with Villa holding out for more.
Tottenham’s long-standing interest in Jack Grealish remains but, again, a fee is yet to be agreed as Villa want around £25m. Kodjia’s exit could raise another £12m but losing him would leave Villa light up top.
Moving on players who are surplus to requirements is the main aim, but the problem is finding a willing buyer. Who’s going to match the wages of some of Villa’s high-earners, especial- but Villa have more ly when they’re not even playing? The money Villa receive from player departures will not be re-invested into the playing squad, either. It wasn’t last year – when sacked technical director Steve Round worked alongside Bruce to help raise around £20m, and spend just £2.5m on incomings – and it’s the same this time around.
It is understood the American group who wanted to invest in the club set out certain guidelines to Xia when they submitted a formal offer last month. One of those was to set a fixed price tag of £40m on Grealish to act as a disincentive to sell. They also wanted that money to be used as working capital if he did leave, but Xia rejected the approach.
Despite having takeover plans in place, too, it’s now unlikely that particular group will return. Other parties remain interested but there has been no indication from Xia that he is willing to part ways.