Aston Villa beat Premier League rivals to sign 'Unai Emery's next Jhon Duran'

Aston Villa look set for a successful transfer window despite only reaching the Europa League.

A controversial 2-0 loss to Manchester United on the final day of the season meant Villa failed to achieve Champions League football for next season.

However, a spot in Europe's second-best competition doesn't seem to have slowed down their initial recruitment progress ahead of the summer transfer window.

Unai Emery set to sign Zepiqueno Redmond at Aston Villa

According to The Sun on Friday (page 49, 30 May), Aston Villa are set to sign 18-year-old Feyenoord striker Zepiqueno Redmond.

The Dutch youth international's contract runs out next month, and Villa have beaten off Premier League and European rivals to his signature.

The youngster will set the tone of Villa's transfer window as Emery battles with profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

It is understood Unai Emery has high hopes for the striker, who he hopes will become as successful as Jhon Duran.

Duran cost Villa £15million when he was signed from Chicago Fire in January 2023 and quickly became a fan favourite at Villa Park, despite Ollie Watkins starting ahead of him.

Villa made a £50million profit when they reluctantly sold him to Saudi side Al-Nassr two years later.

Redmond has made nine senior appearances for Feyenoord, making his debut in November.

The 18-year-old also featured twice in the Champions League, including a start against AC Milan, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

He has been a regular for the Netherlands under-19s side over the last year.

Aston Villa transfer strategy changes

Aston Villa look set for a change in transfer strategy this summer.

Villa are no longer looking to sign European stars like Asensio and are instead seeking undiscovered talent.

Emery already has a history of developing young talent, such as Morgan Rogers, who has been strongly linked with a move away from the club.

Now, the Villans are again looking at signing young talents for cheap.

They have already been strongly linked with midfielders Habib Diarra and young Norwegian international Sverre Nypan.