Aston Villa transfer twist as Unai Emery makes surprise decision

Latest Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Unai Emery is said to be open to selling Cameron Archer this summer

Cameron Archer celebrates scoring for England U21s against Israel

Aston Villa are “open to” selling young striker Cameron Archer in the current transfer window.

The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough in the Championship, his third successive loan, and could now be set to depart on a permanent basis.

Archer scored 11 goals in 20 games as Michael Carrick’s team reached the play-offs last season, and earning himself a chance to improve during pre-season under Unai Emery this summer. It appears Villa have now made a decision on his future.

According to The Athletic, Villa are “open to a sale” for the youngster this summer, with Middlesbrough likely to be among the teams interested as they continue to search for a new striker. There is also likely to be interest from elsewhere in the second tier.

Speaking back in March about Archer and Jacob Ramsey, who were both on loan at the Teesside club, Carrick said: “They’re obviously good players – young, talented players – but the biggest thing I can say about them is that their character and personality has shone through so well.

“They’ve been brilliant. They’re really humble lads, and they appreciate what the team brings. That’s the great thing about our squad at the moment – the boys’ appreciation for each other. That’s been the key thing in how easy it has been for those boys to settle in.”

Archer came through the academy at Villa, starting out at the age of eight. To date he has made 13 senior competitive appearances for the club, scoring four goals.

JUST IN: Aston Villa target seals £5m move after Monchi decided not to sign him

Marc Pubill has sealed a £5 million move to Almeria after Premier League outfit Aston Villa opted against signing the former Levante starlet this summer.

While Pau Torres’ arrival sees the Spain international reunite with his former Villarreal boss Unai Emery in the Midlands, Aston Villa have not quite tapped into the La Liga market as much as some had expected this summer.

Villa opted to bring in Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen rather than go all in Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams. Youri Tielemans arrived from Leicester City after reports linking Dani Parejo with a return to England, over a decade after that most forgettable of QPR spells.

And, according to Super Deporte, former Sevilla chief Monchi held talks with Levante regarding Marc Pubill too, only for Aston Villa to decide against stepping up their interest in the highly-rated Spain U19 international.

Aston Villa decided against Marc Pubill deal

Pubill is a right-back, you see. And Aston Villa obviously felt that they had enough cover on the right-hand side already, Calum Chambers providing back-up for Matty Cash. Emery has also talked up Ezri Konsa’s ability to play in a wider role during pre-season.

We are trying to practice different tactical ways,” Emery tells the Express and Star. “And one is to play with Konsa as a right-back, and to build up with three at the back.

“We need to keep practicing different ways we can play.”

So while Aston Villa reportedly believe that Pubill has the characteristics to thrive in English football, a late claret-and-blue hi-jack was never really on the cards. Pubill put pen to paper on a long-term contract with UD Almeria in midweek.

He joins the La Liga outfit on a six-year deal. Almeria will pay up to £5 million, including bonuses, and you can guarantee that they will demand a lot more than Levante did if Aston Villa come calling again in 2024.