Aston Villa have made a significant splash in the transfer market, securing the signings of Jadon Sancho from Manchester United and Harvey Elliott from Liverpool in loan deals. These moves, confirmed on the final day of the transfer window, aim to bolster Villa's squad after what has been described as a disappointing start to the Premier League season.
Jadon Sancho's move to Aston Villa marks the latest chapter in his career. The 25-year-old winger, who is in the final year of his Manchester United contract, has been the subject of much speculation following a somewhat turbulent time at Old Trafford. Prior to joining Aston Villa, Sancho spent time on loan at Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea. At Chelsea, Sancho featured in the UEFA Europa Conference League final, where he scored against Real Betis. Aston Villa will cover approximately 80% of Sancho's wages as part of the loan agreement. It's worth noting that Chelsea had previously incurred a £5 million penalty for declining to make Sancho's loan move permanent at the end of the previous season.
Harvey Elliott, the 22-year-old midfielder, also joins Aston Villa on loan from Liverpool. The deal includes an obligation to buy for £35 million if certain conditions related to appearances are met. Elliott is highly regarded after being named player of the tournament during England's victory at the European Under-21 Championship, where he scored five goals. Despite his potential, Elliott has struggled to gain consistent playing time at Liverpool, making only one appearance for the club this season. In June, Elliott expressed his desire for regular playing time, stating he didn't want to waste his career and would consider his future if opportunities were limited. Last season, he made 18 Premier League appearances for Liverpool, with the majority as a substitute.
These acquisitions highlight Aston Villa's ambition to strengthen their attacking options. The versatility of both Sancho and Elliott is seen as a major asset for manager Unai Emery.
In addition to Sancho and Elliott, Aston Villa have also signed Swedish defender Victor Lindelöf. The 31-year-old joins on a free transfer after his departure from Manchester United at the end of his contract in June.
These signings represent a busy end to the transfer window for Aston Villa, who are aiming to improve upon their recent performances.