Aston Villa face fresh transfer dilemma after injury and loan to buy deal mooted
The coming weeks are likely to involve plenty of activity within the walls of Bodymoor Heath as Aston Villa look to use the January transfer window to make additions and amendments to their squad. Major changes aren't expected, nor can they realistically be afforded in this PSR climate, but decisions are already being made.
The immediate futures and what they hold for Louie Barry and Lewis Dobbin respectively have been resolved in the first instance, while the next step for striker Barry is yet to come. Joe Gauci, the goalkeeper who signed for the club last January, is set for a loan spell in the second half of the season while there has also been speculation surrounding the futures of overseas loanees Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior.
As regards to incomings, Villa will aim to make a couple of additions and top up Unai Emery's squad, one in the forward line and one in the back-line. Another attacker is being sourced and Borussia Dortmund winger Donyell Malen is a known target, while in defence a versatile figure who can help to provide cover at right-back and at centre half is sought.
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Villa are definitely lighter at the back after the festive period; Pau Torres hobbled off in the recent 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion and it transpired that he had broken his metatarsal, which is expected to keep him out for at least a couple of months. That leaves Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Diego Carlos as Emery's existing and available senior options.
Reports in Turkey claim that Jose Mourinho and Fenerbahce are keen on Brazilian Carlos, who came close to leaving the club in the summer with Premier League rivals Fulham interested. Carlos has 18 months remaining on his Villa contract and a decision one way or the other on his future is expected to be made imminently.
Fenerbahce, according to Fotomac, wish to explore a potential loan to buy option which'll involve Carlos relocating to Turkey on loan for the remainder of this season before the Super Lig decide in the summer whether or not to take up the option of signing him permanently for a suggested fee of around £6.6m. Fenerbahce lost Jayden Oosterwolde in November to a knee injury and Mourinho is after a replacement.
