Wes

Playing the investigation game from TheTrees' link to Real Sociedad - it could be for one of their defenders Elustondo or Zubeldia. Both out of contract in 2024 so overall fee would be on the lower end of the scale, and also increases the likelihood of a January sale a bit more.

Would make some sense if the recent talk of Chambers being able to leave as we would need cover. Elustondo could be that Right Back / Centre Back cover whilst Zubeldia is a Defensive Midfielder converted to Centre Back - he's good on the ball and has positional versatitility that could help in an injury crisis - heaven forbid.

A tweet from Trees during a transfer window sends everyone investigating... love it! Just like the good(?) old days.

"Kang In Lee is unhappy with the sports management of Mallorca. The South Korean does not understand that the club has refused to listen to offers for him when the player has two important proposals. The club has informed him that it will NOT facilitate an exit in January."

Q. "How much are you looking forward to playing here (at Villa Park)?"

A. "If it was up to me I'd play tomorrow."

Going to wear the #22 shirt.

Well done to those involved at the club for making that JPA video happen. Really good idea.

Great for Jhon. Great for the fans. Just great for the club.

Just now, supermon said:

Errm is everyone just putting two n two together or is there anything confirmed?

Ivan Ilic is joining Marseille, but it's not been confirmed yet if he's joining this January or if he's going to be loaned back to Hellas Verona until the summer.

If he's being loaned back, will Marseille let Guendouzi leave without a replacement?

I think we need to wait a little bit longer on this one.

Sanson is going on loan to Strasbourg for the rest of the season, according to L'Equipe.

Gives further strength to the idea that another central midfielder is coming in this window.

5 minutes ago, Beastmix said:

Damn. I just need to see Wes in a Villa shirt one last time.

Excuse me? When was the first time?!

Feel a bit sorry for him as the Sudamericano would've been a great experience for him, and I'm sure Colombia aren't best pleased, but needs must.

I personally think they're all in on targeting Jonathan David from Lille in the summer.

For now I can see them looking at getting two versatile forwards/wingers who, for the remainder of the season, can deputise for Watkins (who is Emery's first choice like it or not), can rotate with Bailey in the role he's currently playing as the second forward, or can stretch the field horizontally by being comfortable playing "with his heels on the sideline".

I would expect one of these to be a more seasoned veteran, and the other to be someone younger who Emery sees as more of a project he can work on.

Alongside another central midfielder, I think three more signings this window are still to come now.

10 minutes ago, CVByrne said:

Who's the last winger we're linked to then. Lee Kang-In ?

So far this January:

• Lee Kang-In - Mallorca
• Samuel Chukwueze - Villareal 
• Ismaila Sarr - Watford
• Alberto Moleiro - Las Palmas

And to a lesser extent (i.e. only twitter sourced as far as I can tell):

• Luiz Henrique - Real Betis
• Dario Osorio - Club Universidad de Chile

£14.8m + £8.2m in bonuses according to Pipe Sierra

Their write up on him here.

1 hour ago, burchy said:

If Moreno is going to be one of the options on the left alongside the different profiles of Buendia and Ramsey who do we think this RW is going to be?

The links to Guendouzi suggest he might play further forward on the right, in a 8/10 position but I think Emery is looking for options at present and MG is one of them. 

For me if we could get someone like Chiesa that would be amazing for this team as he’s technical, rapid, great finisher as far as I’m aware and direct. He can also beat a man (long shot I know). 

There’s Pino but his numbers aren’t great.

Other prominent older names include Tête at Lyon, Nico Williams, Marcus Edwards, Marco Asensio, Raphinha, Bryan Mbeumo, Dango Outtara, Ismailia Sarr. 

Out of the above I think Tete looks a talent, as does Nico Williams and Edwards  would be happy with any of those. With Mbeumo we know he’d be used to the league at least although Brentford would pull our pants down with the fee.

Curveballs could include Gustav Isaksen (21), Johan Bakayoko (19), Rayan Cherki (19), Pablo Solari (21), Luca Langoni (20), Wilson Odebert (18)

Very intrigued to see if they go down the more established route with more "known" names like Chukwueze or Nico Williams, or gamble a little and go for the likes of a Dango Ouattara who you mentioned, who is an incredibly exciting if he projects forward from how he is performing now.

I think Emery will want at least one "ally" who knows his methods/process/expectations already - be that a Chukwueze, Guendouzi etc.

Just happy to sit back and see how the rest of the window falls.

Should be noted that Boro originally tried to sign him on a permanent deal, but we were unwilling to commit to that.

So much pleasant variation in tactics and substitutions... AFTER FOUR DAYS.

Lovely to see.

39 minutes ago, IrishVilla10 said:

https://totalfootballanalysis.com/head-coach-analysis/graham-potter-brighton-and-hove-albion-202122-tactical-analysis-tactics
https://themastermindsite.com/2021/12/30/graham-potter-brighton-hove-albion-tactical-analysis-2021-22/

We’ve missed out, maybe he was never in reach but we should have got him when we sacked smith  

 

I think we would have, if it wasn't for the £16m buyout clause in his contract that it would have cost us.

Just to get involved in the Transfer Deadline Day madness regarding Gerson...

There's a private jet flying North from Marseille now, about to fly over Paris seemingly heading to England, that is run by a Danish operator. It's destination isn't flagged yet, but I wonder if the Trees is aware of a flight due in to BHX this afternoon...

There's also a second private jet flying from Marseille to Farnborough. That's most likely Ćaleta-Car who seems to be going to Southampton.

Edit: Nevermind - seems to be heading East! 

Abdou Diallo and Attila Szalai are both predominantly left side centre backs...

                                    Martinez

Cash           Chambers            Mings            Digne

             McGinn         Kamara      Douglas Luiz

                  Bailey                             Buendia

                                     Watkins