Aston Villa are to miss out on one emerging transfer target as he now looks set to join another Premier League club.
The summer transfer window has started rapidly for Aston Villa, who have already welcomed two new faces.
Unai Emery will have both Ian Maatsen and Lewis Dobbin in his squad next term, with other arrivals set to join them.
While Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea wait in the wings, another rumoured target has emerged however, his destination may not be Villa Park.
Aston Villa targeted Leeds United star Archie Gray
Now that Villa’s PSR concerns have been eased due to sufficient sales, Monchi can turn his attention to acquiring fresh talent.
As reported by the Daily Mail, one of the players that the Midlands club eyed was Leeds United starlet Archie Gray.
While the Villans were credited to have ‘checked on’ the 18-year-old, the versatile midfielder is now poised to undergo a medical at Brentford.
Gray, who made 52 appearances for Leeds in 2023/24, looks to be set to play Premier League football next season, as the Bees close in on capturing his signature.
Villa weren’t the only side to admire the teen alongside Brentford, with Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund also named in the report as having interest.
What Gray could have offered Unai Emery at Villa
Being an 18-year-old who displayed his capability to play at senior level over the 2023/24 campaign, it’s unsurprising that so many clubs were eyeing Gray.
Deployable in central midfield and at right-back, it’s clear to see what Emery could have had in the Englishman, who was instrumental in Leeds’ push to the Play-Offs.
It was only at the start of last season that the rumoured Villa target made his competitive senior debut for the Whites, where he was lauded as ‘phenomenal’ by Jermaine Beckford, relayed by LeedsLive.
Given Gray’s versatility, the England U21 ace could have provided Emery with a fresh option at both right-back and in midfield, two areas that the Villa boss will aim to strengthen in the window.
Monchi could have secured a fine rising talent for the Villans however, it will be Brentford who will have the teenager on their side in the Premier League next term.
Now, Villa’s hunt for a central midfielder to fill the pending void left by Douglas Luiz will continue, with many candidates there for Monchi and Emery to explore this summer.
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