Aston Villa forced into £13m sale as Emery and Monchi Barcelona favourite lined up
The Premier League season has only just concluded and already Aston Villa appear to be busy organising their incomings and outgoings in the transfer market.
Premier League clubs are not officially allowed to make moves for new players until June 14th, but that hasn’t stopped an early wave of transfer rumours crashing down on the West Midlands. After all, Villa cannot rest with a squad to strengthen ahead of a return to the Champions League.
Most shockingly, suggestions arrived on Monday of a return to the club for a revitalised Ross Barkley at the end of his Luton Town contract next month. However, there are also plenty more whispers growing louder and louder across the continent regarding Unai Emery‘s intentions this summer.
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BirminghamLive brings you the early transfer rumours and whispers going around Villa Park…
Diego Carlos
According to The Telegraph, Villa are willing to part ways with Brazilian central defender Diego Carlos – only two years on from his £26m arrival.
Carlos was actually signed during Steven Gerrard’s watch, and his career in England got off to the worst possible start with an achilles tendon rupture in only his second competitive match. Fast-forward to now and he has only made 41 appearances in claret and blue.
However, it is not entirely a performance-based issue that leads Villa down the path of the defender’s sale, but rather to comply with the league’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). It is claimed that as he earns £100,000-per-week, this money would be better off utilised elsewhere and the club can look to recoup half the amount they forked out for him in 2022. AC Milan are named as early frontrunners for his signature.
Ronald Araujo
And it appears little time is being wasted, as Emery and Monchi have allegedly already agreed on the man they wish to recruit in Carlos’ place – Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo.
Spanish publication Sport have explained how the Villa manager and president of football operations were spotted in attendance at La Blaugrana’s match against Valencia on April 29. They claim this was to complete a personal scouting mission on the 24-year-old, with him a prime central defensive target once Champions League qualification was confirmed.
‘Loved’ by both, they reportedly have decided to lodge a formal offer. However, Carlos’ sale must be wrapped up first in order to not test the boundaries of Financial Fair Play.
Araujo has been linked with a move away across the recent campaign, including to Bayern Munich. He has outlined his desire to stay by signing a contract with a €1bn (£867m) release clause in 2022 and was named one of the team’s captains last summer, however manager Xavi Hernandez’s potential departure could yet cause a shake-up in Catalonia.
Andrea Cambiaso
Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso will supposedly by subject to €40m (£34.1m) interest from Villa, however his current club are not so keen on doing business.
Italian reporter Alfredo Pedulla claims that the Premier League outfit are lining up their opening proposal to sign the 24-year-old left back. He signed for Juve for €13.3m in 2022, spent his first season on loan at Bologna and then returned for a breakout 2023/24 campaign in which he has made 39 appearances on lifted the Coppa Italia.
Ultimately, it is said that this contribution would sooner see his current employers reward a new contract with improved terms on the €1m-per-year he currently earns, and any Villa approach would be rejected instantly.
