Aston Villa will only be able to sign Villarreal star Arnaut Danjuma if there is a ‘major exit’ from Villa Park next month, transfer insider Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.
Unai Emery, who was appointed as the Villans’ head coach in October, will be handed an opportunity to bolster his squad when the winter window opens for business at the turn of the year.
Aston Villa transfer news – Arnaut Danjuma
According to Spanish sources, Villa have resumed negotiations in an attempt to lure Danjuma back to the Premier League.
The report suggests the ex-Bournemouth forward has a release clause worth £66million written into his contract, but Villarreal are prepared to sanction his exit if a £44million bid is forthcoming.
Emery is looking to former club Villarreal when considering new recruits and it is thought that Danjuma fits the bill.
Jones recently told GiveMeSport that the 25-year-old is being pursued by Villa and, at this stage, he is the most likely candidate to be a big-money arrival in the Midlands.
But Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Chelsea, along with Serie A giants AC Milan, have also been courting Danjuma ahead of the January window.
What has Dean Jones said about Danjuma?
Jones believes Villa are keeping tabs on Danjuma and mulling over whether it will be possible to strike a deal in the coming weeks.
However, the journalist feels it will only be possible for Emery to seal a reunion with the Netherlands international if a big name departs.
Jones told GiveMeSport: “He is such a good player that I can believe they will be looking at him.
“But the problem is that a major exit probably does need to happen first for this to open up.”
Who could leave Villa during the January transfer window?
According to Football Insider, Villa are willing to sell Philippe Coutinho after he has slipped down the pecking order.
The report suggests the Brazilian, who made his loan move permanent for £17million during the summer, is facing up to the prospect of limited game-time under Emery.
Jones previously told GiveMeSport that it will be difficult for Coutinho to turn his Villa career around, so he could make way for Danjuma in the squad.
Spanish sources have also claimed that Emery is looking to offload Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez next month, meaning he may be an alternative big name to move onto pastures new.
