Aston Villa finalise midfielder exit to fellow English club – Done deal
Aston Villa are starting to become very active in the transfer window.
Donyell Malen looks set to leave Aston Villa in a £2million loan move to Roma, with the deal containing an obligation to buy fee of £25m.
Unai Emery is a big fan of Tammy Abraham as he looks for a striker who can play as a backup to Ollie Watkins.
Villa have signed Gremio winger Alysson, meanwhile, and earlier this week, Metz forward Brian Madjo also came through the door.
Aston Villa have a host of young talents who are all capable of breaking into the first team in the future, but they aren’t afraid to let them leave.
Finley Munroe joins Middlesbrough for undisclosed fee
Finley Munroe has been excellent on loan at Swindon Town, and the left wing-back has registered eight goal contributions in 23 League Two matches this season.
However, he has been recalled from his loan spell in Wiltshire, and Middlesbrough have snapped him up for an undisclosed fee.
Villa confirmed the news via their official website on Thursday.
Led by Kim Hellberg, Middlesbrough are currently second in the Championship and on course to achieve Premier League promotion for the first time since 2015-16.
The English full-back joined Villa after leaving Chelsea’s academy in 2021 and has made two senior appearances under Emery.
The 21-year-old’s debut came in the Europa Conference League semi-final defeat at Olympiakos, before coming on in the Premier League against Crystal Palace in May 2024.
Last season, Munroe went on loan to Spanish side Real Union, Villa’s sister club, and he has now taken a huge step forward in his career.
Villa’s thinking is smart, and if they can get more players off their books then youngsters from abroad have a better chance of breaking through.
Aston Villa have set themselves up perfectly for the future
The signing of Madjo from Metz was incredibly smart, with the deal amounting to £10.4m.
Having only just turned 17, his value in a few years time could rise astronomically, but now they have him on their books for a cut-price deal.
Alysson has shown plenty of promise in Brazil, and he can grow into a player that Villa rely on in the years to come.
| Team | Appearances | Goals |
| England U17 | 9 | 4 |
| Metz B | 2 | 2 |
| Metz | 5 | 0 |
| Luxembourg | 3 | 0 |
A lot is made about signing ready-made players who can slot straight into the first team, but planning towards the future is equally important.
Letting Munroe go to an ambitious side in the Championship is probably best, given the fact he’s 21 and not ready for the Premier League.
It wouldn’t be a shock if Villa were to do that with several other loanees in January.
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