Aston Villa have been very busy this summer transfer window – and there could yet be more movement as they enter into the final week before the deadline. Villa have added the likes of Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley as well as bringing back Jaden Philogene to Villa Park.
Juventus stars Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior joined the club in part exchange for Douglas Luiz, while Lewis Dobbin has joined from Everton – but the winger has already been loaned out to West Brom for the season. Barrenechea and Iling-Junior, meanwhile, haven’t yet been involved in a match-day squad in the new season.
Indeed Iling-Junior could be set for a U-turn, having not long arrived; the left winger, who can operate as a left-back, came through the Chelsea academy before moving out to Italy and joining Juve in 2020.
Considered a long-term first-team prospect, he currently finds himself down the pecking order at Villa Park and is set to be allowed a loan spell, following Dobbin out of the door.
Iling-Junior is, according to reports, set to return to Serie A and join Bologna, for the forthcoming season. Bologna, who have a point from their opening two games of the season, are preparing for a Champions League campaign like Villa having claimed fifth spot in Italy’s top tier last year.
Reports in Italy add that Bologna have been prompted into late activity in the transfer window after an outbreak of injuries at the beginning of their new campaign and that Iling-Junior landed in Bologna on Sunday and was due to undergo a medical. Villa, meanwhile, could yet add to their squad this week, although Emery has indicated he is pleased with the business conducted by the club this summer.
Definitely Happening: West Brom has reached agreement with club over talented Striker
West Brom are ready to table a new bid to sign Preston North End striker Will Keane before the 30 August transfer deadline, sources have told Football Insider.
The Championship side’s improved bid will be worth £500,000 after their initial offer was rejected.
Carlos Corberan is keen to add his attacking options after forward Brandon Thomas-Asante joined Coventry City in a £2million deal earlier this month.
Keane has started in three of Preston’s four games this season and scored the winning goal in their 1-0 victory over Luton Town on Saturday.
The 31-year-old’s contract at Deepdale is set to expire in June 2025 as West Brom look to strike a deal for his services.
West Brom looking to add experience to attacking options
Keane started his career with Manchester United, but he made just three first-team appearances for the club.
After undertaking several loan spells during his time at Old Trafford, the Republic of Ireland international joined Hull City in 2016 and spent three years with the Yorkshire side.
Keane’s most fruitful spell came at Wigan Athletic, where he scored 50 goals and laid on 15 assists in 133 appearances for the club.
The Stockport-born man joined Preston on a two-year deal last summer and has featured heavily since he arrived at Deepdale.
The forward scored 13 goals and laid on three assists in his 34 starts last season, while he’s registered one strike in the opening three games of this campaign.
West Brom are now ready to test Preston’s resolve with a new offer as they look to add some more experience to their attacking options.
Corberan’s side currently sit fourth in the Championship table after goals from Karlan Grant and Josh Maja sealed a 2-1 victory over Stoke City on Saturday.
