Aston Villa have made an emphatic start to the January transfer window, formally announcing the acquisition of the highly-regarded Brazilian starlet, Alysson, from Grêmio.
The 19-year-old forward arrives at Villa Park in a deal understood to be worth an initial £8.7 million, with a further £1.8 million structured in performance-related add-ons. The Porto Alegre-based club, Grêmio, have also retained a ten per cent sell-on clause for a player widely considered to be one of South America’s most compelling young talents.
Though the move was officially ratified on the opening day of the winter window, the groundwork for the transfer was laid well in advance. Discussions between the two clubs reached a fruition in December, ensuring Unai Emery secured his primary target ahead of a competitive market.
In an official statement released via the club’s website, the Villans expressed their pride in the signing:
“Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of 19-year-old Brazilian Alysson from Grêmio. An exciting young winger, Alysson emerged through the academy system at the Porto Alegre club, making his senior debut in July 2024. He quickly became a mainstay for Grêmio, registering 34 league appearances last season.”
Alysson, a dynamic forward predominantly deployed on the right flank, is renowned for his technical proficiency and his penchant for cutting onto a formidable left foot to influence central play. In his most recent campaign in Brazil, the teenager recorded two goals and five assists across 43 appearances, demonstrating a level of durability and consistency that belies his tender age.
The young Brazilian joins a formidable attacking stable at Villa Park, including the likes of Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Jadon Sancho, and Donyell Malen. It remains to be seen whether Alysson will be integrated immediately into Unai Emery’s first-team plans or if the club will opt for a strategic loan spell to facilitate his adaptation to the rigours of European football.
The arrival of Alysson may merely be the precursor to further activity. Despite a recent 4-1 setback against Arsenal a result that halted a remarkable sequence of 11 consecutive Premier League victories, Unai Emery remains ambitious.
“We are alert,” Emery remarked prior to the Arsenal fixture. “The club is working, and if we can sign someone to help us and improve on something we need, we will do it. With the players we have, it is enough to compete, but for the second half of the season, we can certainly improve.”
Rumours continue to circulate regarding a potential €50 million pursuit of Bologna forward Santiago Castro, a player the club has reportedly tracked for over two years.
With Arsenal now sitting six points clear of Villa, and five ahead of Manchester City, Emery’s men will look to recalibrate their title ambitions this Saturday. The Villans return to the familiar surroundings of Villa Park to host Nottingham Forest, where the claret and blue faithful will hope to catch a first glimpse of their new Brazilian acquisition.
