‘Medical booked’ and ‘talks advancing’ as Aston Villa edge closer to £42m triple deal
Charlie Haffenden
3 – 4 minutes
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Aston Villa are expected to finalise four defensive transfers by the end of the January window with three advanced and another in the works
Unai Emery is finally being granted his wish to strengthen in defence as Villa have booked a medical for a new right-back and are close to an agreement for an elite centre-half, while two players are set for exits.
Levante full-back Andres Garcia is expected to put pen to paper on his Villa contract this weekend after a €7 million agreement was struck. The 21-year-old, also capable of playing in the centre, has started every match in the Spanish second tier so far this season.
Garcia is set to add necessary depth on the right side of defence, something Emery has wanted since the start of the summer transfer window. He may not be in his prime just yet but he’s far further advanced in his progression than the likes of Kosta Nedeljkovic and Lamare Bogarde.
Emery gives green light for major Villa exit
Diego Carlos is set to depart Villa Park two and a half years after his £26 million arrival from Sevilla. It was hoped the Brazilian would become a key player for the Villans but a horrific Achilles tendon rupture on just his second appearance in claret and blue sent him on a troubled path.
Villa in advanced talks for significant signing
Carlos’ exit has paved the way for Villa to swoop for a higher-level defender. Fabrizio Romano reports Emery is determined to land Sevilla star Loic Bade with the Frenchman the ‘top target’. Talks are already said to be at an advanced stage.
Bade has been going from strength to strength since joining Sevilla in 2023, quickly establishing himself as one of the most talented defenders in La Liga. The likes of Newcastle United and Liverpool have been heavily linked over recent months. Reports in Spain suggest he could cost around €30 million (£25.3m).
This isn’t the first time Villa’s president of football operations, Monchi, has been in talks to sign Badé as he was the man to bring the player to his former club, Sevilla, in the first place. The pair had a strong relationship, as shown by hugs and laughs on live television after winning the 2023 UEFA Europa League.
Earlier in that very season – 2022/23 – Badé endured a disaster spell in England as he joined Nottingham Forest on loan but didn’t make a single competitive appearance. It was some rise to then join Sevilla and become a regular starter on the way to his first European crown.
Wonderkid to leave Villa on loan
Finally, Villa are now searching for a six-month loan for Nedeljkovic as the Serbia international won’t experience any immediate game time upon the arrival of Garcia. Emery utilised the 18-year-old at the start of the season when Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa suffered injuries but he’s been on the fringes of the squad ever since.
Nedeljkovic is still very much part of Villa’s plans for the future as Emery believes he’s a top talent with sky-high potential. As it stands, however, the right-back just doesn’t quite meet the physical demands of the Premier League. That will come in time and a loan away should be of great benefit.
