Aston Villa news: Kenan Yildiz and Alex Baena on Unai Emery’s radar
Aston Villa have had a mixed start to the Premier League campaign of late, having just lost 2-1 to Nottingham Forest, who are rivalling the Villans for a top-six spot.
The West Midlands club have found success in the Champions League and are currently fifth in the European standings.
Villa are on course to make it to the next round, having to play AS Monaco and Celtic in their upcoming fixtures.
However, their Premier League form has been patchy, although they recently ended an eight-game winless streak and are sitting sixth in the top-flight table.
The Christmas period is coming thick and fast for Villa, and with the January transfer window looming, Unai Emery will consider bringing in some reinforcements to bolster his attack.
Here, Transfer News Blitz’s Harrison Pearce takes a look at some new faces who could be heading to Villa Park next month…
Kenan Yildiz, Juventus
The 19-year-old Juventus striker has made himself known to other European clubs with strong performances against Man City in the Champions League.
The highly rated prospect has eight goal contributions this season and can also occupy himself on the left wing.
Aston Villa have been lacking spark in the forward positions, which is something the Turkish international provides.
With the ongoing conversation about how to fit Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran in the same starting XI, Kenan Yildiz could be the perfect cover option for both positions.
The former Bayern Munich youth player is valued at £70million, so it will cost Aston Villa a significant amount if they want to get the transfer over the line.
You shouldn’t rule this signing out, though, especially if Duran forces a transfer away from the club after an impressive season in Birmingham.
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Alex Baena, Villarreal
Long-term Aston Villa transfer target Alex Baena has been a name often linked with the club in recent windows, having worked under Emery at the Yellow Submarines.
The 23-year-old is an attacking midfielder and winger with five goals and three assists to his name in La Liga this season.
The Spaniard is also tied with Arsenal star Bukayo Saka for the most league assists in Europe since last year with 19.
Emery gave Baena his Villarreal debut four years ago, and he has already played with one Aston Villa player, Pau Torres.
Could this be enough to tempt the midfielder away to become the second signing from Emery’s former club?
Follow all the latest January window rumours and deals with Transfer News Blitz, and follow us on BlueSky as we continue to tell it like it is when it comes to transfer talk.
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