Aston Villa Transfers - Let’s talk about Moussa Diaby, Philogene and Duran

Aston Villa's Moussa Diaby is being linked with a move away to Al-Ittihad and could become the second most expensive sale in Villa history if the deal goes ahead.
Villa are also set to complete the signing of Jaden Philogene after activating a clause with Hull City, and Jhon Duran is still attracting interest from West Ham.
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[@andyvilla4489]

Don't understand the confusion. Philogene will be back up for Bailey on the RW. Diaby was poor as an AMC. No presence, inability to hold the ball up, weakened the box midfield when we played it and rarely got to use his pace. I suspect we will go for a quality purpose built AMC for Buendia to compete with. Duran needs replacing when he goes and then that's the forwards sorted.

[@hotdiggityd]

Agreed on Diaby. Thought he was poor in the main. What I will add is that having Philogene and Ramsey allows both Bailey and Rogers the opportunity to play as the 10/Support, as well as Buendia. Plenty of options now, I'm not sure he really needs 'replacing'

[@jefri4176]

Agree totally. Diaby went missing often during the games,maybe need more time adapting to unai tactic and epl. As long we can make a profit on him then it's oke.

[@justininfrance]

Imagine Spurs buying Ramsey, THAT would be an intolerable, rioting in the streets transfer. But Diaby to Saudi? Ok, it’s odd, but I’m fine with it. Welcome home Philogene, looking forward to seeing what he can do.

[@sheriffkimbo]

Ah dude, definitely. Ramsey playing for anyone else would be bad but Spurs would be one of the more horrific clubs he could move to.

[@vickyjennings6414]

I live in Hull. Philogene is VERY, VERY well loved here! Glad to see him back at Villa. UTV 💜💙

[@willmunda403]

Nothing wrong with the Philogene deal. Its tactical. Transfer on a low fee to get the player match experience, but leave a clause to buy back should Hull decides to sell. Both Ipswich and Hull value him at £18m which Villa can and have matched minus the 30% sell-on amount discount. There should always be a way for our academy players to get back to club once they have excelled and shown their worth and they choose to return.

[@PDX-Villan]

I believe that Philogene and Archer are both hoe-grown at the club. The Champions League gives us 4 slots that have to be filled with such players, and Ramsey is our only one. Thus, these players can be net additions to the European roster and don't need to replace anyone else.

[@LG26]

I have a feeling we’ll be going in for Joao Felix, I’d love Williams but I think he wants Barca, I’d love us to try for Alvarez from City, as he wants to leave, will definitely be one big signing to come in

[@NickPhillips-yf2re]

Your smart no bias and talking facts

[@LG26]

@@NickPhillips-yf2re you’re*

[@Bobby_sprinkles]

I hope not. I always find them underwhelming

[@NickPhillips-yf2re]

Ok mr grammar

[@dlaws9214]

Archer?

[@paulhanson5164]

Considering squad numbers in terms of who we can register and having options in every position I wonder if our back up for Watkins is in plain sight, Rogers has the physical attributes of a number 9. We have an abundance of players who can play in all the other forward positions, before people mock the idea remember Watkins was a winger 12 months before we signed him. At the back we have 3 LBs and 1 RB, I doubt Konsa wants to play RB long term and I query the idea of Unai wanting to play with a back 3 when we've just blown over £30m on a 5ft 8 LB. Assuming all the deals been talked about happen I'd then like to sell a LB and sign a RB who's an upgrade on Cash.

[@_Andy_A]

I love that you'd rather a mystery number 9/10 than an actual Jhon Duran haha. Great show lads, keep it up.

[@KeithBruton-pn9dx]

Can someone do something about the reporting in Birmingham Live? This is the opening paragraph “The window officially opened last month but Villa boss Unai Emery is not expected to sign a bucketload of players after admitting the club has to be "intelligent" in the market due to the constraints of the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).” Villa have already signed 6 players and 2 more expected in the next few days. More could be signed if Duran and Carlos are sold so how many is a bucket load? Must be more than 10.

[@jimtheophilou9872]

Cant see why it wouldnt make sense to spend £50m on a Diaby replacement. If the profile of the incoming player is a better fit for the system we plan to play next season, or if Unai/ Monchi think theyre a better player with the same profile then it makes sense surely. If we are a willing seller and replace Diaby for the same money we only do this if as a club we think it makes us stronger.

[@domprice1183]

This is what Monchi does - makes a lot of transfers but doesn’t really improve the team. It’s what he did at Roma especially, a lot of his transfers were really poor during that spell. For me (if diaby goes) we have weakened our first 11 with the loss of him and luiz - as well as the loss of the chaos twins as they did chip in with some important moments. We need a spare keeper, another right back and a top drawer dominant cb to replace mings long term. Our weakness last season wasn’t scoring, it was defending. That’s where the focus should be (and the one defensive player we have brought in with maatsen - his weakest part of his game is defending)

[@zakjones94]

I am almost certain with will replace Diaby. I think we need someone to play the ‘Diaby role’ I don’t think it will be another ‘winger’ but more like a number 10. Someone like Alvarez (my dream signing) or Felix who can link the play from midfield and unlock the low block that we’ll most likely be facing next season. I would imagine Philogene is going to be back up to Bailey on the right despite playing mostly off the left, as we have an abundance of options already on that side. We can’t go into the season with a replacement for Diaby imo.

[@stephenbell8349]

Looking at Philogene's defensive stats at Hull, is it not possible he gets repackaged as an attacking RB, overlapping Bailey?

[@ClaretBluePod]

Hello new theory. Will discuss another time

[@amlmorris]

It's good too see smart flexible business going on at Villa for a change & maybe if Monchi can replicate what he did at Sevilla we could turn a profit on our recruitment for once. 😊

[@kelvinhill]

Fans are forgetting Buendia didn't play last season so is in effect Diabys replacement when it comes to supporting the striker, Philogene gives you the alternative/back-up wide player to Bailey

[@Bobby_sprinkles]

We don't know how Buendia is going to be once he gets on the grass again mind

[@samuelloification2749]

I agree, feels like we already have 1 too many in the 3 behind watkins. Unless we think that injury crisis like last season will be the norm from now on

[@hotdiggityd]

If you run a poll the majority of fans will ALWAYS want more signings. It's like a disease. They're addicted to the yellow ticker and the HERE WE GO

[@garethjones731]

I can see Buendia going at some point, Kamara next summer!

[@jjfreer]

if we sell duran and diaby.... sign alvarez for 90m... whatever we do we should combine the diaby and duran money, and get an absolute start starter just in behind ollie who cna play wide or back up striker if we need them to.

[@lestrem11]

We Buendia, remember.👍

[@daveys1756]

Alvarez is worth no more than 20, at best

[@jjfreer]

@@daveys1756 be esy to get him to sign for us then, cant wait to see him play for villa.

[@jjfreer]

@@lestrem11 indeed we do.

[@jkutv]

Alvarez for 90? 😂 😂 😂 No more than 40 mill for him very tops.

[@LiamRichie825]

What’s the source on these Diaby rumors? I’ve seen Villa fan pages reporting it but they aren’t citing anything and Romano isn’t reporting anything so I’m still not sure

[@ClaretBluePod]

Romano is

[@LiamRichie825]

@@ClaretBluePod just saw that. Now I believe it

[@LG26]

Romano and the Athletic

[@justininfrance]

Surely Rodgers could replace Duran in that back-up role?

[@jefri4176]

Rogers? He would be our left mid starting line up. He Excell in supporting Watkins in centre too but he is not a pure striker 😅

[@hjjlai]

Philogene will classify as a homegrown player trained by the club, so he helps our UCL quota.

[@tommayne8423]

Very good boys 👏🏼 completely agree

[@bainbridgeevents2181]

John/dan will philogine class as home grown still for extra place player in champions league?

[@thomasbe5580]

Why not mention Archer at all?

[@sprigg44]

Dan can you check this Buendia playing on the left. Not once have I ever seen him play on the left for any of his previous clubs…….. in my mind he has only played in the 10 or on the right. Can you check that because damn it’s annoying me when you have seen him on the left. 😫😫😫😫 I will apologise if you was right and he can play on the left 👍🏻

[@Bobby_sprinkles]

The Diaby thing I don't really get. I think he's worthy of another season and showed glimpses much like Bailey has, and we all know how much he's kicked on. That said, if a bid comes in and it's a big recoup of profit (60 in as mentioned) then I think we could do some positive things with the leeway that gives us. Anyone else slightly concerned about such a big squad turnover?

[@JohnVilla1960]

Rogers could play as a striker

[@brettmiffling7306]

After the tournament that Williams Juniors just had with Spain there's absolutely no chance whatsoever of us being able to sign him given the club's that are trying to sign him..

[@andygibbins5372]

I rate Philogene very highly and think he will quickly become a very meaningful goal scorer given the chance. Diaby is very skilful and a first rate player. He is also physically very small. Philogene and Rogers are much stronger and offer a physicality that Diaby doesn't have. If Duran has behavioural tendencies which outweigh his obvious talent then a heavy fee would be a good outcome. If we buy a marquis striker great, but maybe we already have one !!.

[@dandavies2823]

this is for your new bad takes section. you’ve been talking about not needing to get a first class RB because that could displace Konsa. This is madness because Konsa is only playing RB because he’s often better than Cash. With a Mings return doubtful in the short term and Carlos likely leaving, we need Konsa in central defense leaving a major RB gap.

[@ClaretBluePod]

New centre back

[@NPRENT23]

Completely disagree on not replacing Diaby, if you can get Williams, Eze or João Felix you do it immediately!

[@amlmorris]

If we can make a worthwhile profit from selling Diaby & already having plenty of options on both wings i'd do it & invest the money in other areas of the team, especially a striker. We're going to see what happens in time,but we have many wing options in Bailey,Rogers,Ramsey, Buendia,Illing junior & Philogene off the top of my head & a few can play on either side..... up the mighty Villa!!! 😊

[@lessmith1620]

Why isn't Barry being given a chance as back up striker?

[@alanevans9483]

Looks like we are going to have our strongest squad ever really beable to compete on equell terms with the best looking fantastic 😁utv

[@Tom.Jackson.]

Aston Villa have identified Williams as the ideal replacement for Diaby. The 22-year-old was one of the biggest stars of Euro 2024 and scored against England in the final, playing a vital role in Spain lifting the trophy. Unai Emery has given the green light to his signing and sporting director Monchi is working on the transfer behind the scenes. TEAMtalk can confirm that Villa have held talks with Williams’ agents over a move, but they face stiff competition from Chelsea and Barcelona who are also in contact with his entourage.

[@Bobby_sprinkles]

I'd be surprised if he came to us. No disrespect to Villa but why would you come to us if Barcelona are on the cards?

[@theduftmeister]

Signed for £36M ish plus addons on a 5 year contract, Moussa is therefore probably worth about £30m - £35m on the books currently, If we think of all our current players who could play right wing or support striker, I think we could let Diaby go but I can't see Villa accepting anything less than £50m to give themselves a £15m 'profit'. We'd also reduce the small amount of champions league experience in the squad. I'm currently undecided, unless Saudi start waving around the big bucks of £55M+...

[@LG26]

Fabrizio Romano has said we’ve turned their first offer down we want more than the £55m they have offered

[@hotdiggityd]

So you wouldn't sell him for £50m, but definitely would at £55m? This is something I don't understand about football supporters, it's not your money, why on earth would you care?

[@LG26]

@@hotdiggityd when did I say that? It’s reported Villa want more than £55m

[@theduftmeister]

@@hotdiggityd It's just my opinion but if you really must know.....we could make £15m profit but lose potential CL experience and a player who improves a bit more next year? but £20m profit is more palatable to such a loss with a view to PSR. And your point about it not being my money. Well, tbf, it's kind of all of our money isn't it.. Why do you think we've seen the hideous increase in prices on tickets, increases in corporate hospitality, club shop prices, refreshments etc and increases to SkyTV packages who pay increases TV rights etc... So yeah, how crazy we go with Xfr fees and player salaries does impact on us, the fan, who pays towards the costs. UTV.

[@Sylos_officiel]

Jaden philogene for Barcelone 🔥💯❤❤

[@LambriniSupernova]

Diaby was good but not 1st team, but could become that like Bailey did, but if were gunna sell, be nice for the cash to invest I'm other areas, and for me if a player does go, would rather them going abroad so if they do improve and do well it's not to a rival

[@dandavies2823]

i don’t know why people are happy to move Duran on? he’s literally the perfect backup striker. a handful, young, offers something different. tell me, who would be better? sure, he’d like to play more but every second striker feels the same as would anyone else we got in. this is a talent to be nurtured and developed under a great manager. we have to be able to manage challenging players who don’t always tow the line, it can’t be beyond Emery and co.

[@dandavies2823]

and by the way there isn’t a player who could step in and do what watkins does that isn’t a no.1 somewhere and very expensive

[@ClaretBluePod]

Attitude

[@dandavies2823]

yes i hear you and im sure he’s got the ego of a 20yr striker who backs himself but as you said it’s that kind of age profile we want and a lot of top strikers have attitude, we need to be able to manage that

[@Bobby_sprinkles]

The perfect sub striker is someone like Solsjaer. Not someone like Duran. You don't know what you're getting with Duran, he doesn't seem to read the game and get up to the speed of a game and he's as likely to get booked or sent off as he is to score a match winning goal. That might be fine in certain teams, but under Emery where he wants to be able to predict and gain control over games, that's not going to work. And that's before we even get into his poor attitude. If we can see it as fans, christ knows what he's like in the dressing room and what effect he's having on the squad and also players younger than him coming up. You can forgive ego and arrogance to a certain extent because players need it but it has to be justified through proven performances and we just haven't seen that from Duran. So with that in mind, if we can get a profit of 15 million on him and reinvest that to create a more well rounded and harmonious environment around the team then it's hard to argue against it.

[@amlmorris]

It's great we had the option too buy back Jaden Philogene,but in reality it's cost us approximately £7.6 million too bring him back even with the 30% discount on matching Ipswich's £18 million bid after selling him to Hull less than a year ago. If we could've loaned him to Hull for the season we would've got a loan fee + his wages paid by Hull,but without knowing all about the details/facts i would have thought there were some reasons for the way the deal was done. 😊

[@MrMonkeyHat]

Also the ridiculous PSR rules means we booked a profit of £5m into last years accounts and buying him back means we book a loss of 2.6m a year (for the next 5 years). Meaning that it was actually a good thing for PSR purposes

[@catcannon9064]

also it gave hull a incentive to develop him

[@dandavies2823]

is it confirmed he’s coming back? other commentators suggest we matched the fee just to bump up interest ie. there’s no real intention of having him back

[@davidreeves1587]

That depends on how the deal was done. Did villa just pay 13m or did we pay 18m spread over 5 years and book £5m we recieve from hull. If that's the case we've received 10m in the last 2 years accounts for philogene and outlayed 3.6m​@MrMonkeyHat

[@Bobby_sprinkles]

I think it was a PSR thing to be honest. It comes up as profit on the books, where as a loan wouldn't (I'd imagine). I imagine we're going to see a lot of clubs using little loop holes to get around these silly rules. It's just a shame that it seems to come at the expense of nurturing young talent in the game.

[@midnightmark4410]

No worries then

[@carlmcclatchie2122]

We dont have to pay for a new second striker as we have buendia back, I would rather keep diaby if we can afford to, unless maybe the saudis offer crazy money

[@jonathancottrell9383]

Are people thinking we’re not going to get injuries next season

[@LewisBucket97]

What’s the situation with Cameron Archer? Is the consensus that he’ll be on the way out again?

[@jkutv]

I'd imagine it's nailed on he will go out on loan / be sold to a good champ team

[@gavinford9606]

Roger’s would be my Watkins replacement

[@gazthegreat132]

Are we wearing our new kit tonight?

[@darrenwilkinson6436]

You two forgot about Cameron Archer

[@ClaretBluePod]

Not forgot, but if he was deemed surplus to requirements 12 months ago...

[@davidham5230]

It would be a shame to lose a very talented Diaby, I think he bought the best out of Bailey and showed promise to get similar G/A to Bailey, if he does leave I'd throw the bank at Julian Alvarez who wants out of City, teammates Internationally with Martinez and perfect for the no 9 shirt, I'm confident we lift trophies with him in our squad

[@NickPhillips-yf2re]

What about Watkins?

[@Bobby_sprinkles]

Surely someone like Alvarez could go to a club much higher than us currently (ie, a Barcelona)

[@davidham5230]

@@NickPhillips-yf2re Watkins still the main man, Alvarez replacing Diaby, and we don't have anyone in the 9 shirt

[@davidham5230]

@@Bobby_sprinkles could barca afford him with their finances, they might not be able to buy Williams Jr

[@NickPhillips-yf2re]

Then Bayern will or inter or psg. Why would he come to be a backup for Watkins

[@TJ-qx2fk]

Lets sell diaby and take him back on a 1year loan, and insert a buy back clause. That should cover all bases

[@michellemaynard6808]

UTV 💜💙💜

[@michellemaynard6808]

Hey guys if you could sign a giraffe for either a defender or to support to Watkins, where would you put him????

[@chrisnewman9801]

I have a family member who is close friends with inaki Williams, told him Nico wants to move to Villa, it almost happened last season but Villa couldn’t pay the wages, that was the only thing blocking the move

[@jkutv]

I highly doubt we can't pay Niko Williams wages. He won't be on more than 250k a week if he moves. We paid 37 mill for maatsen ans about to pay 50mill for onana. Digne is on more than 160k a week as well. So we have the money for sure.

[@harrygriffiths3321]

Talking like Archer doesn’t exist. You never know, he could be kept around as a squad player

[@ClaretBluePod]

Was surplus to requirements a year ago, surely the same still applies

[@harrygriffiths3321]

@@ClaretBluePod which I understand, but could be a useful players for homegrown player rules in Europe. Surplus potentially, but similar to philogene - probably just wanted game time and pushed to leave for it. Maybe happy with a squad role that Duran has filled 10/15 minutes here and there - especially if we’re playing in 4 competitions this year and in the knowledge that Watkins can’t cover every single game

[@kaptaink6960]

ARDA GÜLER! SIGN THIS KID! Diaby & Duran money could cover that surely? Or capture him on loan? He can play number 10 and off the right. UTV!

[@sheriffkimbo]

Kinda wild listening to John say he completely trusts Emery when his entire demeanour around the Diaby situation seems to suggest otherwise.

[@midnightmark4410]

Phew 😂

[@JayK87]

John, you fail to take into consideration the most important aspect of Diaby's life, his being a devout Muslim. He's not going to kick up a fuss and force a move, that's not in his nature, but at the end of the day he will do what he thinks is best for him and his family. And if Villa can get decent profit of his sale, it's a win-win for all parties.

[@daveys1756]

But you also fail to take into account the experience of black people in Saudi Arabia, whether or not they are Muslim.

[@JayK87]

@@daveys1756 Yet he's still going...

[@james-tm2jq]

Let’s be honest, Diaby can say he wants a new challenge all he wants, it’s all about the money. I hope when he’s playing in a league that attracts a few hundred fans per match in its soulless environment, he thinks back to those magical nights at Villa park, Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and in the back of his mind hears that roar of the holte end. He will have the bank account but at 25 years old, what a complete waste of a career

[@shanesmith7609]

Aston villa look desperate to buy players we sold what a joke that will be 3 players talk about no idea 🙄 selling our best players for profit

[@MrAaronjgray85]

Why does everyone say this diaby thing? We DONT have a left winger. jPB is the only one. Ramsey does not want to play left wing. Morgan is a 10 but we stuck him left in Ramsey absence. JPB will be first choice if we don’t get a nico or felix. Watch.

[@richardlawes2697]

Stop being silly. It's a joke of a league. Ranked 68th. The only reason for going there , is money. Definitely not glory. They literally have 700 people in attendance

[@ClaretBluePod]

Literally said that’s fine. I don’t care if he leaves for money. So whatv

[@richardlawes2697]

@@ClaretBluePod No. You tried making out like it's a top league. Using examples such as Blanc and Benzema. It's a has been league

[@ClaretBluePod]

@@richardlawes2697 Definitely didn’t say it was a top league. The point there is there a well known French names that may draw Diaby to the move

[@RoundzyAstonVilla7]

Bit boring and repetitive! Saying the same thing about Diaby going 7 times. How do you know he hasn’t asked to leave, of course we need a replacement

[@MarkSouth35]

I still don’t trust Olsen….. sorry!

[@AlanHouston-gv3jl]

I can’t wait for the season to start so all the bitching about transfers can end. Townley moaning about every move the club makes is grating. Does he even like being a Villa fan?

[@Sammmgill]

He’s there to put pressure on the club. Thats his job

[@Deadpan19897]

Lightly interrogating/explaining the club's transfer strategy while also being very positive and excited about all the incomings counts as moaning now? Crikey.

[@samuelloification2749]

Was he moaning? Jesus some Villa fans are precious

[@daveys1756]

​@@samuelloification2749agreed. Not really seeing moaning, just breaking things down and explaining what's going on