Aston Villa transfer news live, Moussa Diaby wanted, medical booked, Max Beier surprise

Forgotten Aston Villa midfielder Leander Dendoncker has turned up for training this pre-season at Bodymoor Heath as he awaits clarity on his long-term future. Dendoncker spent the second half of last season on loan at Napoli in Serie A but played just 21 minutes in three appearances and not at all after the end of February, a change of management not helping his cause.

Belgium international Dendoncker, who missed out on a place in his national team’s Euro 2024 squad this summer as a result of spending so much time on the sidelines, has two years left on his contract at Villa Park, but Unai Emery was quite early . clear with the players at his disposal who are not part of his long-term plans; fringe players like Marvelous Nakamba, Bertrand Traore, Frederic Guilbert and Morgan Sanson have all moved on.

Dendoncker was loaned out following a slump in midfield last season; Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Jacob Ramsey and compatriot Youri Tielemans have all been ahead of him and despite Luiz’s departure, Dendoncker’s route to the starting XI has further hurdles to clear now following the signings of Morgan Rogers, Enzo Barrenechea and Ross Barkley. Even if Dendoncker were to stay, playing time would likely appear limited.

The midfielder signed Steven Gerrard from Wolves in the summer of 2022 on a four-year deal, but Emery found little use for him, apart from a spell in the winter of 2023 before he was allowed to leave for Italy. At the time, Emery reasoned that Ramsey was more likely to get minutes ahead of Dendoncker and thus sanctioned the ill-fated loan in the end.

However, on Monday, via club channels, Dendoncker could be seen taking part in pre-season training as the squad – who are not away on international duty – reported for the start of what looks set to be a demanding schedule in the following weeks. the beginning of the new season.

Dendoncker was put to work alongside the likes of Alex Moreno, Lucas Digne, Matty Cash and new signing Samuel Iling-Junior, while a host of other players took part in various drills or could be seen doing the job in the dressing room. sports; Rogers, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Diego Carlos and Pau Torres were at Bodymoor Heath, as were the encouraging sights of Ramsey, Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Buendia and Kamara, who have all had injury problems.