Aston Villa transfer plans: Stan Collymore shares what he’s heard some say about Villans’ window

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Stan Collymore has shared to the Sunday People (20/6; page 62) what he has heard from some regarding the work Aston Villa have done in the transfer window that made him laugh.

Villa have been early pace-setters in the Premier League this summer. They have broken their transfer record to sign Emi Buendia.

And they have been linked with moves for both Emile Smith Rowe and James Ward-Prowse. In fact, they reportedly had a £25 million bid for Smith Rowe turned down by Arsenal.

Their pursuits of the trio comes amid speculation over Jack Grealish’s future.

The Telegraph reports that Manchester City are eyeing the 25-year-old.

But Collymore seems to have hit back at the notion that Dean Smith’s men are simply preparing to lose their talisman.

“First, Aston Villa nick Emi Buendia from under Arsenal’s nose – and now there’s a cheeky bid for Emile Smith Rowe, which is further proof my club is going places,” he told the Sunday People (20/6; page 62).

“Detractors say we are simply ‘spending the Jack Grealish cash’, which makes me laugh as Buendia, Smith Rowe and James Ward-Prowse, in whom Villa are interested too, would complement our special one – not replace him.”

Aston Villa leaving themselves in strong position in transfer window amid Grealish speculation

Of course, neither Ward-Prowse or Smith Rowe has joined Villa. And in truth, it looks incredibly difficult to imagine either moving anytime soon.

But Villa look to be putting themselves in a strong position to make a smart decision on Grealish’s future.

Ideally, he would stay. As Collymore notes, it could be huge to surround him with these sorts of players.

However, if a club do come calling with a ridiculous bid for Grealish, Villa should be in a strong enough position to consider their options.

Clearly though, Collymore believes that players such as Buendia will be playing alongside Grealish next season rather than against him.