A player who has been compared to Leroy Sane is now keen to join Aston Villa this summer.
The Villans have become one of the most attractive clubs in England under Unai Emery after the Spaniard guided Aston Villa back into the UEFA Champions League.
Now, a player with one UEFA Champions League appearance to his name is ready to move to Villa Park…
Samuel Iling-Junior keen to join Aston Villa
An update from Fabrizio Romano now claims that Samuel Iling-Junior wants to join Aston Villa.
The England U21 international is among those who Juventus put aside to be used in a swap deal to sign Douglas Luiz – along with Weston McKennie – and talks are now underway regarding a player plus cash deal.
Romano wrote on X: “Understand Samuel Iling-Junior is keen on joining Aston Villa, as he can be included in the swap deal with Juventus for Douglas Luis as revealed yesterday. Talks are underway for Iling-Junior, Weston McKennie plus cash to Aston Villa and Douglas Luiz to join Juventus.”
The 20-year-old has struggled for playing time in Turin, making just four starts in Serie A last season.
Juventus value the forward at £13m.
Nevertheless, Iling-Junior remains an outstanding prospect with enormous potential, amid comparisons to Bayern Munich No.19 Alphonso Davies.
The Londoner himself has even compared his own playing style to that of Bayern Munich No.10 Leroy Sane, telling The Athletic: “I think he’s quite similar to me. Sane is left-footed and plays on the left.”
England U21 international is the only positive
In our view, this is not an amazing deal for Aston Villa.
McKennie struggled tremendously in English football during a loan spell at Leeds United in the 2022/23 campaign, admitting that he was not fit enough to perform well for the Whites as they were relegated.
Of course, things may be different under a better coach in Emery, but on paper, replacing Luiz – who impressively scored ten goals and provided ten assists last season – with the United States international does not seem like a good move.
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Only time will tell for certain, but in our view, Iling-Junior is the only positive from this deal, which Aston Villa have seemingly been forced into as a result of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).