Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Tue 19 August 2025 19:33, UK

Aston Villa supporters are ecstatic to see one of Steven Gerrard’s signings finally off the books at Villa Park this summer.

'Thank you Mr Marinakis' - Nottingham Forest fans drop instant verdict on transfer announcement	'Unbelievable turnaround' - Tottenham fans deliver instant verdict on contract announcement	Morgan Rogers reacts to John McGinn's farewell message after Aston Villa player exit confirmed

Unai Emery has added just Marco Bizot and Evann Guessand to the squad over the last few weeks, with the Villans struggling from financial constraints, after missing out on Champions League qualification.

Stefan Borson told Football Insider that Villa are set to miss out on a further £50million even if they lift the Europa League trophy next season, and this comes after selling Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United.

Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers also continue to be linked with Villa exits, but that would be a huge blow to the club’s hopes for the 2025/26 campaign in domestic and European competitions.

Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Instead, however, Villa have finally been able to part ways with Leander Dendoncker, who departs after three awful seasons with and without the Villans, spending the last 18 months out on loan.

Joining from Wolves for £13million in 2022 [Sky Sports], the midfielder made just 36 appearances, going out on loan to Napoli for six months in 2023/24 before spending last term with Anderlecht.

Now, it has been announced that the 30-year-old has joined newly promoted La Liga side Real Oviedo for an undisclosed fee, though it is believed that the Villans will not receive any money from the transfer.

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES

Fans have been expecting his exit for the past two summers, but a permanent deal has never materialised.

While this move does very little for Villa’s financial issues, it is a step in the right direction.

Reacting to the announcement, one supporter wrote that she’s “never been so happy for someone to leave”, while another simply responded with a picture of Emery smiling at his phone.

With John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, and Boubacar Kamara all available in the centre of midfield, Dendoncker was never going to fit back into the squad at Villa Park.

Fans have been waiting for the Belgian’s exit to be announced for two summers, and with the news now coming in the West Midlands, celebrations have started ahead of the 1 September deadline.

Related Posts


For more news relating to Newcastle United, visit our sister site NUFC Latest Live.