Belgium international Youri Tielemans became Aston Villa’s first summer signing in a window sure to fuel excitement amongst the club’s fanbase heading into the 2023/24 campaign.
Unai Emery has a number of ambitious targets on his transfer wishlist, and Villa will continue to back him as he looks to bring in several top quality additions to his squad. Villa will be fighting on four fronts next season, and the signing of Tielemans is the latest statement made by the club’s ownership group.
Kamara turned 23 a few months after signing for Villa from Marseille – who had qualified for the Champions League in 2021/22 – and has made a handful of appearances for France. He has all the attributes and potential to become a top midfielder under Emery.
Currently, Emery has six midfield options, with two of them, Kamara and Tielemans, costing the club nothing in transfer fees. Jacob Ramsey also cost nothing given that he is an academy graduate.
Ramsey took his game on another level again last season after working alongside Emery, as he recorded 11 goal contributions in 22 games under the Spaniard. He operates in one of the two more advanced midfield roles, opposite captain John McGinn.
Unlike Kamara, Tielemans and Ramsey, McGinn did cost Villa a transfer fee, but at just £3 million, he is arguably the best value signing the club has ever made. Signed by Steve Bruce back in 2018, McGinn has played a crucial role in the club’s recent history, and after struggling to perform under former boss Gerrard, he’s back to his best after being given a new lease of life under Emery.
Villa’s player of the season and supporter’s player of the season, Douglas Luiz, also joined Villa for a snip. The likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle have all expressed an interest in the Brazilian in recent years and Villa could command a huge fee for the midfielder given that he penned a new deal last year, four years after joining for £15 million from Manchester City.
The valuation of all five of those players is roughly £200 million combined, despite costing the club just £18 million in transfer fees. Meanwhile, Emery also has Leander Dendoncker amongst his midfield options, who Villa signed for £13 million from Wolves on deadline day last summer.
