TRANSFER ALERT: ASTON VILLA PREPARE TO SIGN BRENNAN JOHNSON FROM TOTTENHAM THIS JANUARY
Aston Villa mean business! Discover why Unai Emery is raiding Tottenham for Brennan Johnson after securing Brazilian star Alysson.
Word has it that Aston Villa is thinking about grabbing a Tottenham player this January. Apparently, they've already got a deal lined up for another player, according to a recent report.
This season is kind of wild for the Villa. They're only four points behind Man City at the top, they've won nine games straight in all competitions, and they're actually in the running for the title—something nobody expected.
Unai Emery isn't talking about winning anything big just yet, but the stats speak for themselves.
Villa's been playing their best since way back in 1919. They haven't won the league since 1981 or any major trophy in 30 years, but here they are, sitting third and four points ahead of Chelsea.
The change has been pretty amazing.
They started the season with five games without a win and couldn't score to save their lives, ending up near the bottom. But now it's December, and they've beaten Arsenal and Man City at home. Plus, they are the first team this whole season to get over 2.1 expected goals against Arsenal.
Behind the scenes, Villa is already planning for January.
They've already got Brazilian teenager Alysson from Gremio for around £8.7m, which could go up to £10.5m if he plays well.
This 19-year-old winger is just the kind of player Emery likes—young, eager, and able to adapt. Gremio will get 10% if Villa sells him later. The deal should be done early in the transfer window.
That's according to Graeme Bailey, a journalist. He also said Villa is looking at Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson.
Bailey says Villa is now in the running for Johnson this January.
The Welsh player hasn't been playing much under Thomas Frank in north London. Mohammed Kudus came in the summer, pushing Johnson down the pecking order.
Johnson scored the goal that won them the Europa League in May and scored 18 goals overall last season, being their top scorer in 2024/2025.
James Maddison even called him a 'relentless' player.
But this season, he's only started six league games, playing less than 900 minutes. The 24-year-old isn't a key part of Frank's plans, so he might leave in January.
Now, Villa would be a whole different story. They play European football and are actually trying to win the title. Plus, he'd get to work with one of the smartest coaches from Spain.
So, we probably shouldn't count Villa out just yet.
The team wants to bring in a new striker this winter, and they have a few players in mind.
CONOR GALLAGHER CONFIRMED AS "VITAL" STARTER FOR SPURS FOLLOWING BENTANCUR’S INJURY LAYOFF
Conor Gallagher proved the doubters wrong against Man City. Discover why his €40m move to Tottenham is finally paying off for Spurs.
Chelsea and Atletico Madrid both decided Conor Gallagher wasn’t worth the trouble. At Chelsea, he had his moments—Pochettino liked him, but the fans never really warmed up. When Chelsea shipped him off to Atletico, it made sense. Enzo Fernandez stepped up, took over Gallagher’s role, and fit in perfectly next to Caicedo, with Cole Palmer adding that extra spark up front.
Things didn’t get much better for Gallagher in Spain. He barely got a chance at Atleti, lost his spot in the starting eleven, and pretty much ended up on the transfer list before anyone had time to blink. Interest was lukewarm at best until the winter window rolled around. Aston Villa wanted him and went after him pretty aggressively, but then Tottenham swooped in late. Spurs needed someone to patch up the midfield after Bentancur’s injury, so they just paid up—40 million euros, no hesitation.
His start at Tottenham? Rough. Honestly, that was to be expected. He’d played well at Palace before, but after his struggles at Atleti, he needed time to adjust. Sitting on the bench in Spain didn’t do him any favours.
Then Gallagher showed up. People doubted whether he could really add creativity and move the ball forward for Spurs, so his early struggles got people worried. But then came the 2-2 draw against Manchester City. He suddenly looked like the player both Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank were so desperate to sign.
Against City, Gallagher flipped the script. He set up a crucial assist, drove play forward on the dribble, and kept drawing fouls—everything the Spurs needed. Defensively, he was all over the place in a good way: two tackles, three interceptions, a full 90 minutes, and a huge part of the Spurs clawing their way back into the game.
Tottenham fans loved it. They saw the effort, the attitude, and the hunger to win. Gallagher just wouldn’t quit, and in that second half, he, Xavi Simons, Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke ran the show. Four of those guys have been carrying Spurs lately, so Gallagher is fitting right in with them. That’s a pretty good sign he’s going to work out just fine in North London.
AC MILAN MEDICAL FAILURE: THE HIDDEN KNEE INJURY THAT CRUSHED MATETA’S £30M MOVE
Jean-Philippe Mateta's £30m move to AC Milan is OFF. Discover why a failed medical has put his France World Cup dreams in jeopardy.