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.
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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