Aston Villa to ‘rip up contract’ of Marvelous Nakamba and grant summer transfer to Luton Town – Sky Sports journalist
We’re delighted to welcome Sky Sports and The Athletic’s Dan Bardell as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Dan Bardell believes Aston Villa will grant Marvelous Nakamba a permanent transfer to Luton Town this summer after falling out of favour under Unai Emery.
Nakamba, 29, has enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Kenilworth Road since joining the club in the January transfer window, playing 90 minutes in 13 of their 17 Championship matches since moving.
The Zimbabwean international played a key role in the playoff final victory against Coventry City on Saturday (27 May), successfully scoring his penalty after the regular 90 minutes and extra time failed to produce a winner.
The midfielder’s contract at Villa Park expires in the summer of 2024, so the coming window will be Aston Villa’s last chance to secure a transfer fee for his services unless the club propose a new contract.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell predicted that the club would give Nakamba the opportunity to seal a permanent move to the recently promoted Luton Town.
“Nakamba will be very likely to leave the club this summer, as it was clear Emery didn’t really rate him when they were together at the club,” he said.
“He’s made a positive difference at Luton Town and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he ends up signing a permanent deal there next season.
“I think Villa will rip up his contract and let him move on this summer. He’s only got a year left, and it’s one of those cases where Villa have probably progressed a little too fast for him.
“He’s been a good servant and has never let Villa down, he’s never caused a fuss, but he’s not good enough for where Villa are now and where they want to be.
“So I think he will move to Luton.”
Before leaving Villa Park on loan in January, Nakamba failed to gain a single minute of Premier League action under Emery.
From the eight league games under the Spaniard, the loanee was only named in the match-day squad once – for the 2-1 victory over Leeds United.
In other Aston Villa news, one academy graduate has picked up an injury which could derail his pre-season plans.