Aston Villa working ‘behind the scenes’ to hijack complicated Chelsea deal

August 6, 2024Serie A

Aston Villa are reportedly working on a deal that could see Unai Emery welcome a top striker to Villa Park in time for next season.

After finishing inside the Premier League’s top four, the Villains will spend the 2024-25 season playing in the Champions League.

And looking to build a squad capable of competing with Europe’s elite, Emery, a serial European winner after lifting the Europa League four times, has already made eight first-team signings, including Amadou Onana from Everton and Ian Maatsen from Chelsea.

Aston Villa plotting Romalu Lukaku hijack

The Midlands-based giants aren’t done there. Emery has eyes on a new centre forward with Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku recently emerging as a possible option for the 52-year-old.

Romelu Lukaku celebrates a goal for Roma last season.

The 31-year-old is on Chelsea’s books despite spending the past two seasons out on loan with Inter Milan and Roma, respectively. Now with just two years left on his contract, the Blues are desperate to offload the former Man United striker and avoid recouping any of the £97.5 million they paid Inter for him three years ago.

Villa threatening Victor Osimhen’s multi-million-pound exchange

In talks with Napoli over a possible reunion with former coach Antonio Conte, Lukaku’s proposed move to Naples could lead to Chelsea signing their top target — Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen.