Aston Villa are reportedly considering a sensational player-plus-cash swap deal with Tottenham Hotspur as they aim to strengthen their Premier League title charge this January.
The Midlands club, sitting third under Unai Emery, are said to be battling Crystal Palace for the signature of Spurs winger Brennan Johnson.
Villa's Title Push and Johnson's Spurs Situation
Fresh from a 2-1 victory over Manchester United, Aston Villa find themselves firmly in the title conversation alongside Arsenal and Manchester City. To sustain this challenge, Emery is looking to add more firepower and depth to his squad during the upcoming transfer window.
The target, according to reports from TEAMtalk, is Tottenham's 24-year-old Welsh international, Brennan Johnson. The attacker has fallen out of favour under new Spurs boss Thomas Frank, having been a regular under previous manager Ange Postecoglou.
Johnson, who has 42 caps for Wales, joined Tottenham from Nottingham Forest in 2023 and famously scored the winner in their Europa League final victory over Manchester United in May. In 106 appearances for Spurs, he has scored 27 goals, with 18 of those coming last season.
The Proposed Swap Deal Involving Leon Bailey
In a bold move to beat Crystal Palace to Johnson's signature, it is suggested Aston Villa could propose a swap deal. The player potentially moving to North London is Jamaican winger Leon Bailey, who is currently on loan at AS Roma.
Bailey's time in Serie A has not gone to plan, and his future in Italy is uncertain. Villa may consider recalling the 28-year-old from his loan to facilitate a transfer. Before his move to Roma, Bailey scored 22 goals in 144 games for Aston Villa following spells at Genk and Bayer Leverkusen.
A move to Tottenham could offer Bailey a fresh start and a chance to prove himself again in the Premier League, while providing Thomas Frank with a direct, left-footed option on the right flank.
What The Deal Would Mean For Both Clubs
For Aston Villa, securing Johnson would add significant pace, Premier League experience, and a proven goal threat to their attacking options. His profile is seen as ideal for Emery's system, particularly on the counter-attack.
For Tottenham, parting with a player who is not in the manager's immediate plans to acquire a motivated and talented winger in Bailey could represent smart business. It would also free up funds and squad space, with additional cash likely involved in the transaction.
As the January window approaches, this potential deal is one to watch closely, with the power to alter the dynamics of the Premier League's top-four race.
