Aston Villa Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours/Champions League Thread 2024/25

I honestly think the clubs stance is a simple we do not want to sell and we will offer him a new contract to keep him but if City go at it hard and offer more than 100m they would probably deter to what Grealish wants to do.

lots of stories today that City are going to make “an opening bid” with suggestions that it will be for around 75m, some saying Villa will knock it back immediately and others saying City are confident they can negotiate Villa down from 100m.

these stories could all be based off nothing with figures pulled outta thin air but if Villa do have a number they would be willing to accept and negotiations do actually take place I hope they do a Dortmund and just say it’s this much by this date or no deal and stick 100% to that.

in better news Leon Bailey’s stepdad and advisor has let it slip that leverkusen are in negotiations with Villa so a second bid will hopefully be incoming soon.

Honestly I’ve not watched a whole lot of him but he would put Traore on the bench for sure, is highly rated and can play all across the AM positions including upfront if need be although definitely seems to prefer AMR. He would be my first choice of the linked players Atm.

Being reported that Villa have made a 30m bid or are readying one after an initial 25m bid and that Leverkusen want 35m so you would think that a deal can be made especially with Bailey talking like this:

"One hundred per cent, I’m totally ready for the next step," he said.

"I’ve been working hard to be able to reach where I am today. I feel like I’m at an age and point in my life where I feel like I’m ready for the next step. Hopefully we can make that happen soon.

For me, just playing at the top. The highest level. I feel like I need a new challenge so anywhere where it’s a good opportunity for me to really showcase myself and work hard.”

in slightly related news it’s being reported that Villa want close to 15m for El Ghazi in response to Roma’s interest. Could see him leaving for between 10 and that if we do get an AM like Bailey in as we still have players like Carney that the club will want to give game time and McGinn that could be pushed up further if Traore isn’t available to replace on of the starting AMs.

Liked Axel when we had him beside Mings in the championship but he wouldn’t be starting ahead of Konsa and I would think he would be moving for first team football. He would be ideal backup but I’m not expecting it.

If Grealish tells them he would like the move for 100m it might be understandable if they accept it but I would love to see the club just say nah mate he ain't for sale.

That's the problem really, I doubt they will keep Grealish against his will with such big money on the table but it would be a real statement to reject it.

If he does get sold, there have to be a few more coming in to appease fans not just one of the Bailey type, they will also regret not getting any deals done earlier if they sell as everyone should already know Villa have money but now they will be upping the prices of our targets for sure.

Obvious I know but... The more I think about it, the more I really want Jack and the Club to reject City.

As you get older it is easy to in many ways fall out of love with football. It can seem so corporate and soulless at times, all about the money, Saudi owned teams, super league talk etc but watching hometown boy Jack Grealish lead Dean Smith(another Villa Man)'s Villa in such a manner that it just always looks like the lad loves playing football while obviously caring about the club that we all support has kind of brought me back to how I used to feel about the club when I was younger. Yeah the improved fortunes of the past few years and obviously competent owners etc help with that too but it will be a very sad day if City are successful in this bid imo

It seemed that was the focus of this summer's recruitment with the likes of Beundia and potentially Bailey coming in to take the pressure off him. However now it might end up with them being seen as replacements for him. That said if he does leave the fans would not be appeased with just those two and you would have to assume that more would be brought in. From reports River Plate's Alvarez for example I could see being signed as well as Bailey if Grealish goes especially as he supposedly can also play up front and backup might be needed there especially with Davis linked to . Then invest the extra money in another position, for example the Prowse bid which would also allow McGinn move further up field.