ASTON VILLA TRANSFER NEWS: SALISU STANCE AS EMERY EYES SOUTHAMPTON RAID
Mohamed Salisu has now set his stance on a summer transfer from Southampton amid interest from Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and AS Monaco in the defender’s signature.
That is according to the Daily Mail, which reports that Salisu continues to face an uncertain future on the south coast. Southampton are yet to sell any of their biggest assets since they endured relegation. But the Ghana international has entered the final year of his contract.
Clubs have taken a keen interest in Salisu’s situation despite him not featuring since March due to injury. The 24-year-old initially sustained a hip abductor issue in February but made one final appearance in March. It ended his season after 22 outings in the Premier League.
Salisu sets his stance on a transfer away from Southampton
Monaco are now amongst the teams showing the most interest in securing Salisu’s transfer from Southampton. But the Ligue 1 side are holding back from furthering their pursuit. The Principality outfit are considering waiting until January when he can agree to a free transfer.
Southampton risk pricing Monaco out of a transfer in the summer sales after rejecting their first two offers for Salisu. So, Les Monegasques may wait to secure a Bosman deal and strike a pre-contract agreement in January. Monaco are also exploring potential alternative deals.
Stade Louis-II chiefs do not need to fear the Saints’ £11m signing from Real Valladolid back in August 2020 will reject the move. Salisu is keen to leave Southampton and wants to seal the proposed transfer to Monaco – a blow for his admirers at Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.
Salisu’s stance deals a blow to Aston Villa and Crystal Palace
Reports by Ghana Soccer Net during May also noted that Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are interested in a transfer for Salisu from Southampton. The Eagles hoped to keep the defender in the Premier League following the Saints’ relegation. But they faced a number of obstacles.
Manchester United also had tabs on Salisu as a possible option to improve Erik ten Hag’s Old Trafford defence. But Aston Villa and Crystal Palace’s main issue was Southampton’s desire to get Salisu to sign a new contract. His existing deal at St Mary’s is due to end in June 2024.
Southampton have not managed to convince Salisu to stick around on the south coast after enduring relegation to the Championship. So, the Saints’ valuation of a player Alan Shearer called ‘rock-solid’ in February 2022 risks leaving them exposed to Salisu moving on for free.
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According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Aston Villa are now trying to sign West Ham United target and former Chelsea loanee Denis Zakaria from Juventus in the summer transfer window.
The Italian publication has claimed that West Ham and Juventus have been in talks over Zakaria for weeks.
No agreement has been found between the Hammers and the Bianconeri.
Aston Villa have now entered the race for the Switzerland international and have taken information about the former Chelsea loanee.
Zakaria spent the 2022-23 season on loan at the Blues from Juventus.
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