BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: A general view of the corner flag at Villa Park ahead of the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park on October 31, 2021 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
Aston Villa pondered ‘throwing €70m in the pot’ to acquire a player this summer, which would have broken the club’s record.
There was a time during the transfer window when it appeared that Aston Villa might make a serious attempt to sign Federico Chiesa.
This happened at a time when the Italy international appeared out of place in Max Allegri’s 3-5-2 tactics, and the Juventus star was considering leaving Turin.
According to Goal Italia journalist Romeo Agresti, Aston Villa were intrigued, even if the player himself was not delighted with the possibility of moving to Birmingham, and the Premier League team were willing to break the bank for him.
He examines how things have altered dramatically for Chiesa during the summer, now a revived star in this early phase of the campaign, in an essay published on Thursday.
Among the topics he talks is the possibility that the forward will be offered a new contract before the end of the year in order to avoid a transfer controversy over the next year.
That’s when he adds “there was no shortage” of English interest during the summer transfer window, such as Aston Villa’s proposal of “putting around €70 million in the pot.”
This would have exceeded their previous transfer record (Emi Buenda’s €38.4m arrival), which was eventually broken by the €55m signing of Moussa Diaby.
That was a ‘never got off the ground’ debate, but the danger was there, and while they were not his first choice, we all know how compelling Unai Emery can be when he wants to be.
Simply ask Nicol Zaniolo…
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Former Aston Villa and Chelsea captain ‘on the verge’ of a two-year contract extension Aston Villa
The latest comes as a former Aston Villa and Chelsea captain nears a shock coaching move to Saudi Arabia, where he will work alongside Steven Gerrard.
Former Aston Villa and Chelsea captain John Terry is said to be close to taking over as manager of Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab FC.
The England icon is presently working as a consultant in the Chelsea academy, but the Blues have stated that they would not stand in his way.
Terry was Villa’s captain for one season before becoming Dean Smith’s assistant at Villa Park and Bodymoor Heath for three years.
The 43-year-old later became a coach at Chelsea before joining Smith at Leicester City early in 2023. When it didn’t work out, he returned to Stamford Bridge.
Terry has reportedly been “approached by bosses at Al-Shabab around a month ago” and has been given a contract, according to The Sun.
A two-year contract is thought to be on the table for Terry, with another two potentially possible depending on how the iconic former defender performs.
According to reports, chiefs in Saudi Arabia believe Terry has the coaching credentials and reputation to attract even more star names to the division. Terry will soon face off against former teammate Steven Gerrard, who is the manager of Al-Ettifaq.
