Aston Villa are still competing on two fronts as the Premier League and Europa League seasons reach their climax. Unai Emery's squad is close to securing Champions League qualification domestically and could effectively achieve that against Tottenham Hotspur this evening. In Europe, they need to overturn Nottingham Forest's one-goal first-leg lead to reach the Europa League final in Istanbul later this month.
With so much still at stake, the transfer rumor mill has intensified, and here is a selection of the latest links involving Villa, with reports suggesting a youthful approach to summer recruitment.
Gabriel Sara
According to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, Villa have 'inquired' about Gabriel Sara. The report claims that contact was made in 'recent days' and that Galatasaray informed Villa of their €30 million asking price. The Turkish club paid €18 million for the Brazil international when he moved from Norwich City in 2024.
The midfielder was signed by Norwich from Sao Paulo in 2022, made 96 appearances, and scored 21 goals with 17 assists in his two years at Carrow Road. He signed a five-year contract with Galatasaray two seasons ago and earned his first call-up to the national team in March. He has 11 goal involvements in 42 matches this season, including one in the Champions League win over Juventus in February.
Bailey Rice
TEAMtalk reports that Villa are one of three Premier League clubs hoping to sign Rangers youngster Bailey Rice, who is expected to leave Ibrox at the end of his contract this summer. Villa, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace are all 'pushing to secure' the holding midfielder's signature.
The 19-year-old moved to Rangers from Motherwell in 2022 but has been unable to break into the first team, playing only 16 times in total and just twice in this injury-hit campaign.
Ibrahim Mbaye
Villa admire Paris Saint-Germain starlet Ibrahim Mbaye and are 'monitoring' his situation, according to the Daily Mail via Sky Sports. However, a deal would not be easy for the 18-year-old, who still has two seasons left on his contract with the defending European champions.
Winger Mbaye has been in the PSG youth setup since the age of ten and has already played 40 games, including 29 this season, with two goals and two assists. He was an unused substitute in the Champions League semi-final win over Bayern Munich last week. He started and scored against FC Lorient in yesterday's 2-2 draw and, having come through the age groups with France, is set to represent Senegal at this summer's World Cup.
