Aston Villa sign £13m Arsenal star and Man City youngster in intriguing summer transfer window prediction
How Aston Villa’s summer transfer window will look - according to a new prediction.
Aston Villa are looking to become regular Champions League contenders under Unai Emery, with this campaign representing arguably their best yet under the Spaniard as faint title hopes persist.
The Villans will look to take a step forward in the summer after a difficult transfer window at the beginning of this season, which coincided with a disappointing start on the pitch before a stunning rise up the table in the autumn. Despite looming PSR concerns affecting Villa’s transfer activity in the past, Emery will hope that this summer is different as his side look to establish themselves as a bona fide top-six outfit.
We went to popular management simulator Football Manager 26 to see their predictions for Aston Villa’s summer transfer window – with some interesting results.
Aston Villa bring in players from Arsenal and Man City - according to Football Manager
Reiss Nelson - £13.5m from Arsenal: In another quiet summer window predicted by FM26, Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson is touted to be Aston Villa’s most expensive signing. The 26-year-old is currently out on loan at Brentford but has played just 50 minutes in the league for the Bees, often an unused substitute. Whether Nelson is expected to elevate the Villa squad if he were to arrive with limited match fitness, is rather baffling.
Houssem Aouar – Free agent: Currently plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Ittihad, Aouar is under contract until 2028 and so in order for him to end up as a free agent as predicted by FM, he would need to see his lucrative contract terminated in Saudi Arabia. Provided this happens, the midfielder once targeted by Arsenal and Manchester United is expected to arrive at Villa Park on a free transfer.
Ezra Carrington – Free from Manchester City: The City Under-21 full-back has spent an extended period out with injury and so is expected to depart for pastures new this summer after recently returning to Premier League 2 action in February. The 20-year-old is touted for a free transfer move to Villa in the next window.
Modou Kéba Cissé - £4.3m from LASK: The 20-year-old Senegalese centre-back has already agreed to sign for Villa in summer 2026, while FM predict that he will score once in three appearances in a modest debut campaign.
Barrenechea departs as several Villa stars leave on loan
Enzo Barrenechea - £10.25m to Benfica: As far as exits go, defensive midfielder Barrenechea is predicted to be the only permanent departure from Villa Park this summer. The Argentine is currently on loan at Benfica, in a deal which will become permanent if certain terms are met.
Lamare Bogarde – loan to Sheffield Wednesday: The 22-year-old midfielder has become a regular squad player this season, but is touted to depart on loan in the summer. A move to Sheffield Wednesday is predicted, with the stricken Owls almost certain to be a League One club next season – a division in which Bogarde has played in two loan spells with Bristol Rovers in the past, though he will have hoped his career has advanced since then.
Lewis Dobbin – loan to Cardiff City: Dobbin is yet to feature for the Aston Villa first team since signing for a fee of around £10m from Everton in 2024. Currently enjoying a successful loan spell at Preston North End, the 23-year-old winger is predicted to join up with Cardiff, likely to be in the Championship as current League One leaders, in a less fruitful spell touted to bear just one assist and zero goals.
Josh Feeney – loan to Plymouth Argyle: Also predicted to be sent on another EFL loan is 20-year-old centre-back Feeney, currently at Huddersfield Town but touted for a move to Plymouth.
Mohamed Kone – loan to Leyton Orient: The 18-year-old midfielder has made 16 appearances for Villa’s Under-21 side since signing from ASEC Mimosas in 2025. He is predicted to gain some first-team experience at Leyton Orient.
Yasin Ozcan – loan to Middlesbrough: Also touted to go out on loan is young defender Ozcan, who was signed by Villa last summer and has since been sent on three loan spells. His current deal with Besiktas includes an obligation to buy at the end of the season, but FM’s prediction suggests that move fell through as the Turk is instead sent to Middlesbrough.