Aston Villa eye moves for Chelsea & Liverpool stars before summer transfer deadline

Aston Villa are planning to make a number of moves before the summer transfer window closes, 90min understands, with Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah and Liverpool's Joe Gomez among their targets.

A versatile defender is high on Unai Emery's wish list in the final days of the window as they prepare for their Champions League campaign, while Villa also hope to sign a new wide forward to replace Moussa Diaby following his departure to Al Ittihad.

At the back, sources have confirmed to 90min that Villa have identified Gomez and Chalobah as possible targets.

Gomez is considering his future at Liverpool and was left out of the Reds' squad for their Premier League opener against Ipswich Town. The 27-year-old has a handful of suitors in England.

Also on the radar is Chalobah, who has been exiled from Chelsea's senior squad in an attempt to force through a sale which the Blues hope will be worth between £25m and £30m. Both Chalobah and Gomez are known for their abilities to cover a number of positions in defence.

Villa's search for a new forward had seen them focus on Joao Felix. The Portugal international is free to leave Atletico Madrid and Villa, after learning he would not be returning to former loan club Barcelona, believed they stood a good chance of landing his signature.

However, agent Jorge Mendes has struck a deal to send Felix back to Chelsea, who had the 24-year-old on loan in the second half of the 2022/23 season. Felix is believed to be keen to live in London once again as well as being excited by rejoining Chelsea, which he believes is a strong fit for his game.

Chelsea's move for Felix is expected to see Raheem Sterling made available for transfer and Villa have held internal talks over a move for the 29-year-old, but things have not progressed beyond that point thus far. Sterling had wanted to stay at Chelsea but his perspective could change after being left out of the squad for Manchester City, and he has also been omitted from the team to face Servette in the Conference League as well.

Villa's plans could be dictated by the futures of Jacob Ramsey and Jhon Duran. Tottenham Hotspur were keen on the former earlier this summer, while a £40m bid for the latter could still be considered.

Emery's side have been linked with Brentford striker Ivan Toney, but sources have stressed to 90min that such speculation is overblown.

READ THE LATEST TRANSFER NEWS & GOSSIP FROM AROUND THE WORLD