Dean Smith: Aston Villa have "healthy list" of January targets
Dean Smith claims Villa have drawn up a “healthy list” of transfer targets after reiterating the club’s January plans will not be dictated by Financial Fair Play concerns.
Villa will be active when the window opens next month, though they are not expected to spend heavily after splashing out £127million on 12 new players last summer.
Reports this week claimed the club were at risk of breaching FFP rules but Smith said: “I’ve not had anyone, the CEO, the sporting director or owner say we can’t do anything.
“At the moment we have our lists that we are going through.
“I expect to be active but because of what we did in the summer there is not a lot of work to do. It is tinkering, here and there.
“We are looking all the time. We have had regular meetings with Christian Purslow and Suso, the sporting director. We have a healthy list of players who are possibilities.”
Smith is primarily looking to strengthen his options in attack, while the club will also be willing to move on several fringe players should they receive suitable offers.
But they are not under any pressure to sell, with Villa confident they will be compliant with the league’s spending rules.
“There may be outgoings,” said Smith. “I am not looking for any players to go at all and we are not under pressure, contrary to popular belief, that any players need to leave Villa.
“We have not got any clauses in any contracts that allow people to buy players for a certain amount of money.
“We have two wealthy owners who want to move this club forward. To do that you keep your best players and add better players to the squad.”
