Former Aston Villa player Alan Hutton believes that one of Lucas Digne or Alex Moreno has to leave the club in the summer transfer window.

Both the players are expected to get less playing time in the upcoming season as Unai Emery has added a number of new players to his squad.

The West Midlands club will play in the Champions League next season and that has made Emery target new signings.

Digne has been linked with a move to Galatasaray but nothing has been finalised yet.

In the left-back position, Villa are blessed with several options and Hutton believes it is time for one of them to leave the club.

Since Ian Maatsen will now be the club’s first choice left-back, there is no point in Villa having three left-backs at the club.

Hutton told Villa News:

“Either or at this moment of time.

“I know Galatasaray have been interested and he kind of fought back against it and said that he wouldn’t be leaving.

“If there aren’t any suitors at this moment in time, it is probably best for someone, either Moreno or him to go out on loan because you don’t need three left-backs.

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“They’ve paid a lot of money for Maatsen to come in and I think he probably will be the starter with someone else, probably Moreno, backing him up.

“So one has to leave, we’ll see how it pans out but whether it’s a loan or permanent it needs to happen for one of them.”

Hutton is making sense with his assessment as Emery’s team does not need three players in the same position.

One of Digne or Moreno will not be getting enough playing time and there is no point in having options on the bench that will not be used.

The post Alan Hutton tells £100k-a-week Villa player to leave the club appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Unai Emery will be preparing his Aston Villa side for what could be a vintage campaign in 2024/25.

The Villains will take part in the Champions League for the first time since they were involved in the competition in 1982, when it was known as the European Cup.

Peter Withe provided the club with arguably its greatest ever moment by scoring the winner in the final against Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich.

Unai Emery favourite could find his time limited in 2024/25

Emery would need to work all of his magic for the Midlands-based outfit to come anywhere close to getting to the final again this time around, though with him being an expert in European cup football, one can’t bet against the Villains surprising a few people.

Domestically, Emery’s side were brilliant to watch last season, and the Spaniard will surely be hoping for the same hard work and application despite the extra load his players will have to cope with.

One player that could find his place under threat is Emery favourite, Alex Moreno.

Transfermarkt note that the left-back played in 29 games in all competitions for Aston Villa in 2023/24, and with Lucas Digne thought to be on the move to Galatasaray, it would’ve given the 31-year-old the chance to be in direct competition with Ian Maatsen for the slot on the left side of defence.

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However, as The Athletic (subscription required), Digne has turned down the move to the Turkish giants, and whilst the outlet note that there is still interest in the Frenchman’s services, he’s now expected to stay at Villa Park.

With three weeks left of the transfer window, Digne’s decision may prompt Moreno to consider his options as, injuries notwithstanding, he’s unlikely to get too much of a look in.

The post Future of Unai Emery favourite under threat after Aston Villa man’s surprise decision appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Aston Villa defender Lucas Digne has recently been at the centre of transfer speculation, with reports linking him to a move to Galatasaray.

Despite having two years remaining on his contract, Footmercato claimed that the Turkish giants are eyeing a loan move for the French left-back.

Recent reports suggest that Aston Villa are considering selling Digne to clear some space in their squad and reduce their wage bill following a busy summer.

Earlier today, a Turkish journalist reported on social media that Aston Villa had accepted a proposal from Galatasaray for Digne.

However, Digne himself swiftly took to social media to deny the rumours, stating that there was no truth to the reports.

Sorry but no true ???

— Lucas Digne ?? (@LucasDigne) August 7, 2024

The situation took an unexpected twist when the journalist responded to Digne’s denial by posting a leaked image of the purported proposal between Aston Villa and Galatasaray, suggesting that discussions had indeed taken place.

? https://t.co/x1n6nEJwuG pic.twitter.com/Aj28kFbvqH

— Ya??z Sabuncuo?lu (@yagosabuncuoglu) August 7, 2024

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While the document is a proof that there was indeed a proposal that was sent to Villa, the latest update from The Athletic states that Digne has rejected the proposal and is happy to stay at Villa.

Despite this, other clubs remain interested in him, leaving his future uncertain. As the transfer window progresses, all eyes will be on Digne to see whether he remains at Aston Villa or moves on to a new club.

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Aston Villa have been the busiest Premier League club this summer.

They have made eight new signings under manager Unai Emery and their transfer business has still not stopped.

The West Midlands club qualified for the Champions League last season by finishing in the top four of the Premier League standings.

They are ready to add more players to their squad while some of the existing players could leave the club.

The club have received a financial boost by the sales of Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby and that has helped them conduct their transfer business.

They have shown ambition once again in the market and it remains to be seen if Emery can guide the Villa project in the right direction.

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Aston Villa could lose another first team player this summer as Galatasaray are eyeing a loan move for Lucas Digne, according to Footmercato.

The left-back has two years left on his current deal at Villa Park but the Turkish giants are only eyeing a loan move for the player.

Emery’s team have a number of other options in this position so a departure for the former Everton player might not come as a huge surprise.

He could become the third high profile name to exit the club this summer.

The post £25m Villa starter set to join European giants appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Aston Villa are preparing to sell left-back Lucas Digne this summer, according to reports.

The 46-time France international joined Villa from Everton in January 2022 and has notched four goals and 10 assists in 93 appearances for the club across all competitions — Digne also started 27 of Aston Villa’s 38 Premier League games last season, scoring once and setting up another three goals.

However, Digne’s place in Unai Emery’s team is under threat after Villa signed Dutch left-back Ian Maatsen from Chelsea this summer, while Villa also have Spaniard Alex Moreno and young English talent Lino Sousa already on their books.

According to Football Insider, Aston Villa are now preparing to sell Digne to clear some space in their squad and on their wage bill following a busy summer that has seen them bring in the likes of Cameron Archer, Jaden Philogene, Samuel Iling-Junior and Lewis Dobbin alongside Maatsen.

A double French departure for Villa?

Of course, Digne may not be the only Frenchman heading for the Villa Park exit door this summer.

Rumours of his departure follow closely from reports linking winger Moussa Diaby with a move to Saudi side Al Ittihad.

According to Fabrizio Romano, talks between the two clubs have entered the ‘final stages’, with a fee in the region of €55m in the process of being agreed.

???? Negotiations between Al Ittihad and Moussa Diaby are at final stages after progress made this week, almost there.

All parties feel the deal will get done with details still being discussed on fee in excess of €55m.

??? pic.twitter.com/DKlf5a7pR6

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 19, 2024

Aston Villa have already sold Douglas Luiz (to Juventus), Tim Iroegbunam (to Everton) and Morgan Sanson (to Nice) this summer to ensure they balance the books ahead of their first Champions League campaign since winning the competition in 1982.

The post Aston Villa preparing the sale of 46-capped international player alongside Moussa Diaby appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Unai Emery is expected to target a new left-back for Aston Villa ahead of next season.

However, according to a recent report from The Athletic, Villa could face problems in their recruitment plans with both Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno keen to remain in the Midlands.

Neither player is thought to be interested in leaving Villa Park this summer with both full-back’s contracts not set to expire until 2026.

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Failure to offload one, or both, left-backs could leave Emery’s hands tied with Villa already needing to offload talent in order to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.

The pair are thought to earn £115,000-per week and are valued at around £25 million, combined.

The post £155k-a-week duo determined to play for Aston Villa next season appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Lucas Digne snatched a win late on against Luton Town as Aston Vilaa maintained their lead in the race for Champions League qualification.

Not for the first time this season, the recently promoted side were left to bear a crushing last-minute defeat at Kenilworth Road.

It looked like it was game, set, match midway through the first half when Olli Watkins gave the visitors a 2-0 win thanks to an exceptional brace.

But the home side clawed their way back into the contest only to be hit with a dagger in the 89th minute with both Aston Villa substitutes combining.

Moussa Diaby whipped a cross into the back post where Digne headed into the back of the net.

Diaby Digne

The substitutes combine as Digne heads in at the back post! pic.twitter.com/g42mSnPaU5

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 2, 2024

The post Video: Lucas Digne grabs last minute winner to break Luton Town hearts appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Unai Emery was spotted going absolutely ballistic at one Aston Villa player during Saturday afternoon’s Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest.

Despite racing to a 3-0 lead, the Villians were pegged back to 3-2 after two quick-fire goals either side of the halftime break from Moussa Niakhate and Morgan Gibbs-White piled the pressure on.

And although the home team went on to comfortably win 4-2 after Leon Bailey added his side’s fourth with half an hour to play, Emery was far from impressed.

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Lucas Digne started the game on the bench and wasn’t introduced until just after Bailey scored but his manager was seen on the touchline screaming at him.

Although the reason for Emery’s outburst is unknown, fans may feel the former Everton full-back’s days at Villa Park are numbered.

Lucas getting an earful for crimes he hadn’t committed yet ? #UTV #AVFC pic.twitter.com/Ti3sNnwZ2M

— Rach (@eightyfourosaur) February 25, 2024

The post (Video) Unai Emery went ballistic at benched Aston Villa star during Forest clash appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Unai Emery could look to part ways with two first-team Aston Villa players in the summer.

That’s according to a recent report from Fichajes, who claim the Midlands club are looking to shake up their squad in preparation for next season and beyond.

Having spent less than £20 million in the recent January window, with former Middlesbrough attacker Morgan Rogers being Emery’s biggest signing, the Villians are in store for a busy summer transfer window.

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And two players tipped to depart Villa Park later this year include full-back Lucas Digne and midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo.

Digne, 30, is one of the club’s highest earners, picking up around £120,000-per week, and with his age forcing a natural decline in his playing performances, there are suggestions the Frenchman could be offloaded at the end of the season.

As for Zaniolo, 24, although the Italian is only on loan from Galatasaray and has made 24 appearances for Villa this season, the midfielder’s contract does not include any performance-related buy-options, meaning unless the Premier League side decides to trigger the option outright, the 24-year-old will be forced to return to Turkey.

The post Unai Emery considering the futures of two Aston Villa first-team stars appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Aston Villa would find it hard to reject suitable offers for Lucas Digne.

That is the view of Aston Villa News‘ financial expert Dan Plumley, who believes the chance to offload the Frenchman before the end of the January window could be something Unai Emery agrees to.

Recent reports in the French media have claimed Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal have approached the former Everton full-back and offered to improve his salary, which currently sees him take home £163,000-per week.

And should Al-Hilal back their interest up with a formal transfer offer, Plumley reckons Villa will at least consider parting ways with the 30-year-old.

“I think at the minute the way the market is, it doesn’t really matter what club you are,” he said.

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“If a big money offer comes in, whether that’s a transfer fee or getting a high-earner off the wage bill and it’s coming from the Middle East, or wherever it comes from actually, as long as it’s the best offer on the table, you’ve got to look at it seriously.

“That’s no disrespect to the players, but that’s the nature of the business at the minute and if it is an offer that is too good to turn down, you’ve almost got to take it.

“Especially given how we don’t know how it will run out in the long-term and we saw huge activity in the Saudi market last summer, but we’ve already had Jordan Henderson move out of that and to Ajax, we’ve heard rumours that players like Firmino and others might be looking for an exit already.

“That again goes into the negotiating position of when you’re trying to shift players on, so if those opportunities are not going to be there forever, and there is risk in the strategy still.

“If it’s a really good offer on the table and you’ve got players you think you can shift on for a fee while you can, I just think it’s sometimes too good to turn down irrespective of what club you are.”

During his two years at Villa Park, Digne, who has two-and-a-half years left on his contract, has scored three goals and registered nine assists in 73 games in all competitions.

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