Aston Villa transfer round-up: Torres update drops as images emerge of new signing
Aston Villa are yet to complete a first-team signing in an outfield position this summer.
There is a general need for additional quality in the Villans’ squad after missing out on Champions League qualification last time around.
As a result, frustration is continuing to build as Marco Bizot remains the only addition in claret and blue to this point of the window.
This hasn’t seen a lack of rumours emerge out of Villa Park, with Villa News now rounding up the latest transfer developments from 16 July.
Chelsea to make Rogers bid
There has been no shortage of links for the England international away from the Midlands after such an excellent season under Unai Emery.
The 22-year-old was electric for the majority of the Premier League campaign, so it is little surprise that there is interest in his signature.
| Stat | Morgan Rogers |
| Appearances | 54 |
| Goals | 14 |
| Assists | 13 |
This has seen Chelsea enter the running to sign the attacking midfielder, something which could see the new Club World Cup champions take advantage of Villa’s fascination in Nicolas Jackson.
Speaking on the London Is Blue Podcast (16 July), Matt Law revealed that a move for the Senegal international in B6 could spark an approach for Rogers at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “I’m told by people on the outside that if Villa do go for Nicholas Jackson, it will immediately trigger a bid for Morgan Rogers from Chelsea.
“The only way I see Villa going for Nicolas Jackson potentially is if Ollie Watkins goes, because with us not in the Champions League next season, I don’t see a scenario where we carry Nicolas Jackson along with Ollie Watkins.”
Aston Villa learn Ferran Torres update at Barcelona
Over the last few years, Monchi and Co. have seemingly shown a keen interest in bringing in the 25-year-old from Camp Nou.
This hasn’t come to anything at this stage, with a Catalan exit still seemingly possible moving deeper into the summer window.
With that being said, iconic commentator Ian Darke has been left unsure whether Barcelona would let Torres go, no matter how good of a signing it would be for Villa.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, he said: “I think it would be a fantastic move, I think he is one of those underrated strikers.
“If you look at his goalscoring record for Barcelona last season, it was very good; he stepped in when Lewandowski was unfit and could not stop scoring goals.
“He was a more than useful part of Barcelona winning the championship, not necessarily as a starter. Every time he came in, he looked a bit of a livewire.
“He is a very underrated poacher, his record at City was not too shabby, even though he was not a first-choice player there most of the time.
“For the reason I have just outlined, I would be surprised if Barcelona wanted to let him go, as he is such excellent cover, and Lewandowski is 37 this year.
“I’d be surprised if Barcelona let him through the door because they have got a very able replacement, who can just step in as and when in Torres.”
Mohamed Kone spotted in Aston Villa kit
The ASEC Mimosas’ midfielder was strongly linked with a Villa switch as a deal looked highly likely nearly two months ago [AfricaFoot, 28 May].
Despite this, no announcement was ever made in B6, and it had appeared like any hope of a transfer had fallen away for the Ivory Coast’s Under-20 international.
It actually appears that a deal has been done despite no official announcement from the Villans after the 18-year-old was seen featuring for the academy side in a 3-2 win against Leamington on Tuesday (15 July).
An image of the teen midfielder was shared via the claret and blue outfit’s official website, seemingly acting as confirmation that a move has been agreed for Kone.
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