Aston Villa summer transfer window: Top targets, budget, and priority positions

Aston Villa had little time to ponder on their devastating Champions League near-miss last season, as the Birmingham club rapidly began preparations for the 2025-26 season.

 

After finishing slightly outside the Premier League’s top five, Villa must now recruit from the lower tiers, both in terms of transfer money and salary, rather than maintaining their ambitious agenda of recent windows.

 

Instead of proven stars, players with promise are expected to enter, and while head coach Unai Emery will want to keep all of his core guys, some may have to leave if the Villans are to bring in a large number of new players.

 

Sports Mole examines Villa’s 2025 summer transfer window, including top targets, key positions, money, and most likely acquisitions..

 

Aston Villa’s top targets in the 2025 summer transfer window

 

Emiliano Martinez has been linked with a transfer to Saudi Arabia or Manchester United, and if the goalkeeper leaves, Lille’s Lucas Chevalier looks to be Emery’s preferred desire.

 

As Axel Disasi returns to Chelsea, Aston Villa are looking to enhance their centre-back options, with Jhon Lucumi and Loic Bade all connected, while youthful Yasin Ozcan has joined from Kasimpasa in a deal completed earlier this year.

 

 

Villa are considering re-signing Douglas Luiz in midfield, barely a year after trading him to Italian giants Juventus, although Everton and West Ham United are also interested.

 

The Villans are no longer considering a permanent deal to bring Marco Asensio back to the club following his loan term, and keeping Marcus Rashford was never possible on a Europa League budget.

 

 

However, the latter’s Manchester United colleague Alejandro Garnacho is reportedly being monitored; the winger stirred rumors after posting a social media photo wearing Rashford’s Aston Villa shirt.

 

Meanwhile, Villa have been linked with a move for Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, who may struggle for playing time after the signings of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.

 

Emery is well aware of Jackson’s skills and flaws, having worked with the Senegalese international in the Villarreal dugout.

 

Aston Villa’s budget for the 2025 summer transfer window

 

 

Villa’s summer budget has suffered as a result of failing to qualify for the Champions League on consecutive occasions.

 

The Midlands club stands to lose anything between £30 million and £100 million, and player sales will be necessary to replenish the coffers. As they need to decrease an inflated pay bill to meet with UEFA’s new rules – ‘just’ 70% of income may be spent on salaries and agent fees beginning next season – remaining top earners may be sold. Squad expenses must be reduced, as they are already expected to suffer a significant punishment for last year’s violations.

 

 

So, with that in mind, Villa has finally released Philippe Coutinho. With 12 months left on his contract, he was on loan at Vasco da Gama; both sides wanted him to stay, and an agreement was reached.

 

Leander Dendoncker, Emiliano Buendia, who played for Bayer Leverkusen in the second part of last season, and Nottingham Forest loanee Alex Moreno might all find new teams.

 

RB Leipzig had a £12 million option to buy full-back Kosta Nedeljkovic, but opted to prolong his loan for another year.

Enzo Barrenechea will join Benfica to earn finances, while young players Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Louie Barry will play in the Championship.

 

Aston Villa’s most likely acquisitions in the 2025 summer transfer window

 

 

Loanees Disasi and Asensio, both signed during what was largely seen as a good January window, were formerly considered objectives; nevertheless, longer-term agreements appear unlikely.

 

Disasi will be permitted to leave Chelsea, but Villa did not have the option to sign him on a permanent basis and must now negotiate. Asensio’s loan from European champions Paris Saint-Germain had such a provision, but the 29-year-old’s exorbitant salary has been a major issue.

 

Zepiqueno Redmond, a young Feyenoord striker, joined Villa Park earlier this month for a relatively modest fee. He is out of contract at Rotterdam but is seen as a potential star and should begin his career with the Under-21s.

 

 

Marco Bizot has been brought in to replace outgoing back-up goalkeeper Robin Olsen, who recently signed for Brest for a reduced sum.

 

Aston Villa’s key positions for the 2025 summer transfer window.

 

 

Emery has been conferring with long-time associate Monchi, Villa’s head of football operations, and many other members of the recruiting staff about prospective targets, and defensive reinforcements appear to be at the top of their list.

 

The claret-and-blue club intends to reinforce at right-back and in the center, but improvements may be difficult to obtain given the financial condition before making more sales.

 

A departure for top earning Martinez might alleviate additional concerns over PSR (the Premier League’s profit and sustainability standards), although another goalkeeper would be required, given Robin Olsen has already gone for Malmo on a free transfer.

 

 

 

The Saudi Pro League may potentially make a bid for Leon Bailey, while Nottingham Forest has identified Jacob Ramsey as a transfer target.

 

Morgan Rogers is also garnering interest from Club World Cup winners Chelsea, and losing a player of his caliber would undoubtedly compel Villa to spend money to find a suitable replacement to avoid a decline in quality to Emery’s offensive options.

 

Villa may need to acquire a striker if Ollie Watkins leaves this summer, with the forward reportedly attracting attention from Manchester United and Liverpool.

 

In fact, B6 may have a very busy conclusion to the summer.