VILLA'S NEW TARGET: ALYSSON EDWARD, A VERSATILE BRAZILIAN WINGER, IS UNAI EMERY'S PRIORITY
Aston Villa is strongly interested in 19-year-old Grêmio winger Alysson, who fits their need for budget-friendly attacking depth and could be the club's next Morgan Rogers.
Reports suggest Aston Villa is looking at a January move for a player who could be the next Morgan Rogers.
Villa might not splash a lot of cash this January, but they are expected to be active, with attacking players a likely priority.
Only six teams have fewer expected goals than Villa this season, so that tracks. Ollie Watkins is struggling, summer signing Evann Guessand hasn't found his form, and the club relies too much on Morgan Rogers in attack. A budget-friendly signing could change that, and Unai Emery may have someone in mind.
A Teenager Forward Could Be the Next Rogers
The Athletic reported Villa is exploring a deal for 19-year-old Grêmio winger Alysson. Scouts watched him play in Brazil before a possible offer.
Alysson, also known as Alysson Edward, shares some qualities with Rogers. He can play as a number ten or on the wing, and he has a similar mix of strength, speed, and ball control.
He became a regular starter in Porto Alegre in 2025, but he still needs some work. He's inconsistent and gets frustrated when things don't go his way. So far, he has only one league goal for his club. He has potential, but he's not the finished article.
Still, he fits what Villa needs. He's young, which fits the club's plan to build a younger squad. He can play many positions, which helps with squad depth. Also, he won't cost a fortune, which is important because Villa nearly broke Premier League financial rules.
Those rules are still in place for the rest of the 2025/26 season, even though clubs voted to change them next summer. Villa isn't thought to have much money to spend this January. Signing cheaper, younger players is the most likely move.
Alysson might not make a huge impact right away if Villa signs him. But he has the skills, technique, movement, and work rate to be a useful squad player. Villa would sign Alysson, hoping he becomes as good as Rogers in a few years and helps the team now.
Will Villa Sign Alysson in January?
The Athletic's report doesn't say Villa has made an offer or what the transfer fee might be. It only says the club has a strong interest. However, Brazilian media have made some guesses.
Bolavip reported before The Athletic that Grêmio received an offer of over €12m (around £10.5m). Details of the offer weren't given. A decision will be made soon.
The Brazilian club has a few weeks to decide, but Villa might want to complete a deal early in January if possible. Guessand could be unavailable if the Ivory Coast does well at the Africa Cup of Nations.
With reports in England and Brazil, Villa's interest in Alysson seems real, and talks are likely happening. But it's not certain a deal will be reached.
Bolivar's report suggests Villa can afford this deal. Watching Alysson play suggests he could be an impact sub right away and improve over time. This could be a smart signing for the future.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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