Fabrizio Romano: Emery keen for Aston Villa to sign La Liga forward in £30m transfer
Emery Set for Attacking Overhaul as Aston Villa Focus Shifts to Youth
Unai Emery is preparing to reshape Aston Villa’s attacking lineup as the club adopts a more youthful recruitment strategy ahead of the 2025/26 season. With financial constraints tightening their grip and restrictions on high-profile transfers, the Spanish manager is poised to pivot from targeting seasoned stars to developing emerging talent.
This summer’s transfer approach marks a significant departure from previous windows when Villa could attract established names like Marco Asensio. Instead, the club’s attention is now firmly on nurturing potential, and 18-year-old Zepiqueno Redmond is expected to be the first new face through the door—signaling the dawn of a new era at Villa Park.
Behind the scenes, Villa’s hierarchy—spearheaded by Monchi—has been handed the challenge of slashing the wage bill to ensure the club remains compliant with Financial Fair Play regulations. High-earning players are now under scrutiny, with Philippe Coutinho among the most prominent names being considered for departure in a bid to reduce salary overheads.
As a result, Emery is preparing for the exit of several senior players, particularly in attacking roles, and is working swiftly to identify suitable replacements. One of the latest names to emerge as a key target is Jesús Rodríguez, a promising winger from Real Betis.
According to a report by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Friday, June 13, Aston Villa have officially opened discussions with Real Betis regarding the potential signing of Rodríguez. The 19-year-old Spain Under-21 international is coming off a breakthrough season under the guidance of ex-Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini. Rodríguez featured prominently during the latter half of the La Liga campaign, missing only one match as Betis secured a commendable sixth-place finish.
Rodríguez’s performances have not gone unnoticed, and former Villa scout Bryan King believes Emery is already well-acquainted with the player’s capabilities. In comments shared exclusively with Villa News, King expressed confidence that Villa will push through with the move and estimated the transfer fee could be in the region of £30 million.
“Unai Emery will definitely know this player well,” said King. “Rodríguez is a dynamic and exciting talent. He’s from a part of Spain Emery is very familiar with, so I have no doubt the coaching staff have done their homework. If they’re looking at him as a long-term replacement for someone like Leon Bailey, then this is the right time to invest—he’s got age and potential on his side.”
The push for Rodríguez comes at a time when Bailey’s departure appears increasingly likely, adding urgency to Villa’s need for reinforcements on the flanks. While Bailey has offered moments of brilliance during his time at Villa Park, injuries and inconsistency have limited his overall impact—prompting Emery to explore other options as he seeks a more reliable and dynamic presence on the wing.
This unexpected squad rebuild is a stark contrast to the club’s trajectory just two years ago, when Villa seemed poised to break into the Premier League elite with only minor additions required. Now, Emery is tasked with overseeing a significant transformation of his squad—one that could leave him with a largely untested team, especially at the top level of English football.
It’s a scenario the 53-year-old likely didn’t anticipate so soon into his project at Villa Park. While Emery has proven his ability to adapt and develop players, he will now be relying heavily on time, patience, and the support of the club’s fans as he attempts to guide a younger, less experienced group through a new chapter.
If the club succeeds in landing Rodríguez and other youthful targets, it will mark a bold commitment to long-term planning over immediate success—one that could ultimately define the Emery era at Aston Villa.