Aston Villa progress in talks to beat Arsenal to new signing
Aston Villa have a record of signing proven European players but the club are looking to change their approach this summer as they aim to balance the books this summer.
Since Unai Emery was appointed Aston Villa manager in November 2022, the club have signed big-name players such as Ian Maatsen and Amadou Onana for fees in excess of £35million.
The Villans are looking to alter their approach in the market to keep themselves with the parameters of PSR, having had to make some sale last summer, including Douglas Luis moving to Juventus.
Villa progressing in talks to recruit Norwegian wonderkid
Aston Villa are looking to the future as they are set to battle it out with Arsenal for Rosenborg youngster, Sverre Nypan, with the Gunners having reportedly made their move in January, according to Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas.
Ultimately, the attacking midfielder decided to stay in his native country until the summer, where he has played more than 60 games and netted 14 times for Rosenborg.
Nypan became the youngest player ever to represent the Norwegian first division side in November 2022 at the age of just 15 years and 322 days old.
He later went on to become the youngest player to score in a league match for Rosenborg at 16 years and 145 days old and has since featured for Norway’s Under-21 side.
Aston Villa and Arsenal are reportedly not short of competitors for the 18-year-old’s signature, with Catalonian side Girona trying to convince the youngster to join.
A change in transfer strategy for Unai Emery?
Aston Villa signed the likes of Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford on short-term loans from European giants Real Madrid and Manchester United respectively in January but the Villans are looking to change their transfer focus to more long-term prospects.
With the development of 22-year-old Morgan Rogers since he joined from Middlesbrough in January 2022, Villa manager Emery has shown he has a track record of making world-class youngsters.
In the summer, Aston Villa will have to adhere to PSR parameters and may need to get creative to balance the numbers. Therefore, cheaper and more long-term signings such as Nypan look to be something Villa fans can get used to.