Journalist Duncan Castles has dropped an exciting claim about Aston Villa and their transfer plans for this summer.

What's the story?

Speaking on the latest edition of The Transfer Window podcast, the journalist said: "Aston Villa actually have, I’m told, a substantial budget to work with. They are one of the better-placed teams in the Premier League (post-pandemic).

"This week, they’ve signed Buendia from Norwich City for an initial £33m that is a 'half-replacement' for Grealish, as it’s been described to me, and they’re looking at other attacking midfielders coming in as well."

Fans will be buzzing

The revelation that Villa have a "substantial budget" with which to work this summer will surely be music to the ears of Dean Smith and the club's supporters, who'd have been hoping for the club to go again in the transfer window.

Villa made a real splash in the market last summer when they brought in the likes of Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez, and that followed on from the previous year when they came back to the Premier League with some eye-catching signings such as Wesley and Trezeguet.

Having already clinched a deal for Buendia, there may have been a worry that perhaps Villa were done with their big-money signings, but this latest claim from Castles should ease those fears.

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Given that their owners are in the top five in the division according to Forbes when it comes to the rich list, it's no surprise that Villa are named as one of the "better-placed teams in the Premier League" considering the financial effects of the pandemic.

With the summer transfer window only getting started, it seems that Villa fans can now look forward to some more high-profile deals.

Meanwhile, Villa are eyeing a move for this 6 foot 5 star...