Aston Villa could be set to sign their very own Bukayo Saka this summer, with latest reports suggesting a swap deal could be on the cards.
Manager Unai Emery will be hampered in his efforts to build a squad capable of making an impact in the Champions League as Aston Villa look to avoid breaching Premier League and UEFA spending rules.
Any hopes fans may have had that a top four finish would alleviate these concerns were misguided, with the club expected to have to sell one or two important players in order to reinvest in the squad this summer.
Douglas Luiz seems the most likely departure, with Arsenal and Juventus interest in signing the midfielder meaning the club can expect a sizeable fee.
Now, the club could be set to capitalise on Juventus’ interest to sign an exciting English prospect compared to Bukayo Saka.
Samuel Iling-Junior could be included in Douglas Luiz deal
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano in his Daily Briefing, there his a real chance that Luiz could leave Villa this summer and Juventus have ‘concrete’ interest in the Brazilian.
However, the Italian giants are unlikely to be able to spend the expected minimum £50 million fee Villa would demand for Luiz and the Old Lady are therefore keen to discuss a potential swap deal with the Villa Park club.
Two names that have been mentioned are Weston McKennie and Samuel Iling-Junior, however given both are set to enter the final years of their respective contracts it would be a surprise if Villa deemed their collective value to equal that of Luiz.
Whilst a swap deal could be a good way to get two players in return for one ahead of a Champions League campaign in which Villa will need depth, it is cash that Villa really need.
The whole purpose of selling Luiz is to ease PSR and FFP pressures, meaning the benefits of a swap deal are limited.
McKennie is also a significant downgrade on Luiz, but if Villa can find a way to negotiate a deal that includes Iling-Junior plus cash it could be an incredible bit of business.
Iling-Junior could be Unai Emery’s new Bukayo Saka
One benefit of Luiz’ expected departure is that it gives Villa an advantage in negotiations around Iling-Junior, with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United both also reported to be interested.
The 20-year-old winger left Chelsea in 2022 to join Juventus to play first-team football.
It is a move that has paid off as he has 45 senior appearances to his name, scoring twice and assisting four times, despite playing under a manager in Massimiliano Allegri who tends not to favour youth.
The tricky England under-21 international has primarily played from the left for Juve, but his future could well lie on the right given his stronger left foot makes him a real threat cutting in.
Emery handed a 17-year-old Saka his debut in his time as Arsenal manager and if the club are to pursue Iling-Junior then they could well have themselves a player with the potential to compete with the Arsenal winger for the right-wing spot for England.
That is according to scout and analyst Ben Mattinson, who posted on ‘X’ that Iling-Junior:
‘Should be used as a duel winning creative right winger, being direct taking on players, whipping crosses from the half-space. Not a left wingback/left midfielder.
Iling-Junior is a Saka rival, that’s his ceiling. Should be competing with him for England right wing spot if harnessed optimally.’
Saul Isaksson-Hurst first coached Iling-Junior at under-10 level and still coaches the player privately explained why the player os so exciting, telling The Guardian earlier this year: “Samuel is unique because he is so technical and can use both feet so he could probably play anywhere. He’s got everything.
“He’s also got the mentality to succeed. Even now I speak to him and he’s not getting carried away with things. He is still that same boy from Highbury who had a very humble upbringing.”
Whether a deal for Iling-Junior is viable remains to be seen and is likely to hinge heavily on what Villa decide to do regarding Luiz’ future.
However, the Juventus youngster is only going to get better and Emery could well nurture Iling-Junior in the same way he did Saka at Arsenal and we all know how well he has developed.
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