Unai Emery has sold himself short at Aston Villa after Leander Dendoncker transfer exit development on Tuesday
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery may have sold himself incredibly short at Villa Park with Leander Dendoncker now all but set to seal an exit from the club.
The Athletic journalist David Ornstein shared (23 January) that an agreement is yet to be reached between the clubs or with Dendoncker, but Napoli are working to sign the Belgian until the end of the season.
Two players have already been told by the Aston Villa boss that they can leave this month, with Calum Chambers and Bertrand Traore being deemed surplus to requirements ahead of the second half of the campaign [Jacob Tanswell, 12 January].
And it now appears that Dendoncker could be set to follow with Fabrizio Romano adding that the Belgian has accepted Napoli’s proposal.
He wrote: “Napoli are closing in on loan deal to sign Leander Dendoncker from Aston Villa. It will include a buy option clause.
“Agreement being finalised between the two clubs — talks first called by David Ornstein.
“Dendoncker has also accepted Napoli proposal, waiting to travel.”
The Belgian will move to Italy on an initial loan with a buy option clause of around €9million (£7.7m) which isn’t mandatory and a medical for the former Wolves man to seal his transfer will be done on Wednesday (24 January).
Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri [15 November] reported earlier this season that the midfielder was no longer in Emery’s plans at Villa Park and was expected to find a solution during the January transfer window.
However, the 28-year-old recent performances ensured that he wouldn’t be going anywhere this month.
Against Manchester United on Boxing Day, Dendoncker completed 89 per cent of 35 attempted passes and scored with his only attempt on goal [Fotmob].
The Aston Villa midfielder also showcased his excellent range of passing as well, finding a teammate with 75 per cent of his long-range efforts and even picking out one of the forward line, in the final third.
In the FA Cup third-round clash against Middlesbrough, he was once again excellent on the ball, finding a teammate in white with 92 per cent of 39 attempted passes, three of which were into the final third.
Off the ball, the Belgian was up to the challenge of the greater physicality that Championship opposition poses, winning 100 per cent of tackles and aerial duels, while also coming away with possession from two battles on the ground.
In Aston Villa’s last three matches, Dendoncker has played more minutes than he had done in the entirety of Villa’s Premier League campaign up until Boxing Day.
He may not be the perfect midfielder, but showed that he could be a crucial component and relief when needed.
The Villans incredibly suffered when Boubacar Kamara was absent through a three-game suspension but Dendoncker proved the perfect alternative with his expert displays in the Frenchman’s absence.
Now, that relief has been thrown away completely and could come at a cost to Emery and Aston Villa with a gruelling fixture list to come, especially when the UEFA Conference League returns next month.
Do Aston Villa now seal a late January replacement? Judging by this latest development, they desperately might have to.
In other Aston Villa news, Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Villa and Leonardo Spinazzola, with a Roma exit now expected.
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