Jack Grealish playing for Manchester City and Unai Emery managing Aston Villa
Jack Grealish and Unai EmeryImago

All 32 players Aston Villa failed to sign in 'mad' summer transfer window, including Jack Grealish

James Barker

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with editorial experience at Football League World. FOCUS Statistical analysis and long-form opinion across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT James utilises data and a network of club contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis. He provides the statistical depth and editorial judgment behind the stories to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Aston Villa's 2026-27 summer transfer window is one fans won't forget in a hurry.

Unai Emery made no fewer than 10 new additions to his squad, bolstering almost every department.

The headline captures were undoubtedly Ibrahim Mbaye, Nicolas Jackson and Johan Manzambi, who all arrived for significant fees.

Meanwhile, this summer also saw Villa Park stars such as Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa and Youri Tielemans all depart.

It now leaves the Villains in somewhat of a rebuilding phase, with so much change likely to require time before things start clicking again.

Villa News looks back at all the players that were linked with moves to B6 this summer, but ultimately didn't make the move.

Aston Villa saw numerous forwards avoid moves to Villa Park

The Athletic have revealed that two Aston Villa club sources have described their transfer window as being a "mad summer."

Perhaps no other department of the pitch received as much transfer talk around Villa Park than in attack.

Jack Grealish's availability was sounded out by Villa, but he ultimately opted to re-sign for Everton on deadline day.

Endrick, Rafael Leao, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Crysencio Summerville, Jarrod Bowen and Harvey Barnes were all touted to Villa as well.

Karim Adeyemi and Nicolo Tresoldi were linked, whilst the aforementioned report from The Athletic details interest in Jonathan Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli, Folarin Balogun, Jonathan David and Christian Kofane.

Joshua Zirkzee was tipped as being a possible deadline day surprise acquisition, but he stayed put at Old Trafford.

Mundo Deportivo also credited Villa with an interest in £17million-rated Ruben Vargas, but he remained with Sevilla, whilst Christopher Nkunku was also strongly linked.

Matias Fernandez-Pardo was strongly linked earlier in the summer, before he eventually sealed a late move to Newcastle for £51m.

Meanwhile in midfield, Villa had a loan move agreed for Joao Palhinha, but he opted to head for Benfica instead, whilst Louis Page was also linked but he remained with Leicester.

Villa were also linked with a number of defensive targets this summer, including one player who they pursued for over a month.

Jack Grealish playing for Manchester City and Unai Emery managing Aston Villa
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Why did Villa's move for Pervis Estupinian fail?

As detailed in the aforementioned report from The Athletic, Aston Villa were attempting to sign Pervis Estupinian from AC Milan for over a month.

Emery had worked with him at Villarreal, but after terms over an agreement kept shifting, Villa eventually lost patience and signed Matteo Ruggeri instead.

Goalkeeper Robin Risser was a candidate to replace Martinez, but Villa instead opted to go for Zion Suzuki.

In that same previously referenced report from The Athletic, it's also claimed that James Trafford was "heavily scouted" too, whilst a late move for Jean-Clair Todibo was also explored.

Emerson Royal and Joel Ordonez were strongly linked, whilst a report by Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness claimed Fikayo Tomori was also of interest.

Tosin Adarabioyo was also linked to Villa Park, but he ended up signing for Tottenham.

Oscar Mingueza and James Tavernier were other reported options for Villa, with the former ultimately signing for Crystal Palace.

Bayern Munich's Kim Min-jae was another touted option in central defence, but he remained with the German giants.

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