Aston Villa news: Unai Emery looks to bolster squad as Villa linked with two Champions League stars
The January transfer window is now open for business, and Aston Villa will likely be heavily involved in the month’s transfer dealings.
Villa are on a 10-match unbeaten run at Villa Park after beating Leicester City 2-1 at the weekend.
Since the departure of Moussa Diaby this summer, the West Midlands club have lacked that frightening pace in the final third.
The recent injury to Pau Torres has accelerated Villa’s need for a new centre-back, as the Spaniard is set to be sidelined for up to two months.
Transfer News Blitz’s writer Harrison Pearce has taken a look at two players linked with the Villans who could redefine the club’s season.
Donyell Malen, Borussia Dortmund
Aston Villa have reportedly had a £16million plus add-ons bid rejected for Donyell Malen.
The 25-year-old is no stranger to England after spending several years in Arsenal’s Hale End academy.
The Dutch winger has thrived at Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund after joining the club three-and-a-half years ago, where he has contributed 30 goals.
Malen has a reputation for having plenty of pace and power, two traits which could help solve Villa’s creativity concern going forward.
The Dortmund forward primarily plays on the right wing, however, he is a versatile player who can play anywhere along the front line.
The speed Malen could provide down the right-hand side could be vital for Aston Villa, as well as offering some much-needed competition for Leon Bailey.
Antonio Silva, Benfica
Antonio Silva is a highly-rated centre-back who plays for Portuguese outfit Benfica and has emerged as one of Unai Emery’s top targets this month.
The 21-year-old defender has been on the radar of some of Europe’s biggest clubs for some time now, including Real Madrid and AC Milan.
Italian powerhouse Juventus recently saw a proposed loan deal with an option to buy rejected for the Portuguese youngster, showing Benfica may be reluctant to sell.
The signing of Silva would be a huge coup for Aston Villa and show the continued progress and ambition of the West Midlands club.
The six-foot-one-inch defender would be a breath of fresh air for the Villans, with their current options in central defence injury-prone and ageing.
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.
READ NEXT: Aston Villa news: Unai Emery recalls loanee star as several EFL Championship sides take interest
