'We must be ready' - Unai Emery gives Aston Villa transfer update
Unai Emery says Villa must be ready to pounce on any opportunities during the January transfer window.
The club’s spending is again set to be heavily restricted as they look to comply with both the Premier League and Uefa’s financial rules.
Yet Emery has not completely ruled out new additions, with his team targeting success on three fronts in the new year.
Villa signed Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi on loan at the end of this year’s January window.
Emery said: “The club is working and trying to identify in the squad some players to try and join us.
“But it is not something clear yet because last year we did in the last days of the transfer window in January.
“There are different circumstances. Of course now we are competing in the Premier League, the Europa League and soon the FA Cup.
“We are going to play a lot of matches and always we must be ready in case we can improve and join some different qualities we can sign.
“We must be ready and must have one eye on transfers.”
Villa will make a decision on the future of Harvey Elliott with the loan signing from Liverpool seemingly surplus to requirements.
Elliott has made only five appearances since joining on deadline day, with the most recent of those in early October.
Villa are obligated to buy the 22-year-old for £35million should he reach 10 appearances this season but that currently appears extremely unlikely and discussions between the two clubs are expected.
Elliott, who made two appearances for Liverpool this term before moving to Villa, cannot play for another club this season.
One player Emery is keen to keep around is Jadon Sancho. The winger, on loan from Manchester United, is yet to start for Villa in the Premier League but Emery believes he has a big part to play over the second half of the campaign.
Forward Evann Guessand will be unavailable for the next few weeks after joining up with Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations.
