Juventus Tried To Sign An Aston Villa Star For Just €5m — Villa Aren’t Playing That Game
Juventus want an Aston Villa goalkeeper. That much is clear. What’s also clear is that the Italian giants thought they could walk in, throw €5 million on the table, and walk back out with one of the best shot-stoppers in Europe. Aston Villa had other ideas.
Reports from Corriere dello Sport confirm that Juventus are desperate to sign a new goalkeeper this summer, and their attention has landed firmly on a player who just helped Aston Villa win the Europa League in Istanbul. The problem? Villa’s asking price sits at around €20 million, and with a contract running until 2029, the balance of power sits firmly with the club.
The €5 million figure that circulated in Italian media tells you everything about how Juventus are approaching this deal. Sky Sport Italia are pushing the idea that the Bianconeri want to sign the player for practically free, using his age as justification. The goalkeeper in question is 33 years old. Juventus seem to think that’s a reason to lowball. Villa clearly disagree.
And why wouldn’t they? This isn’t just any goalkeeper. He is a World Cup winner with Argentina, a Europa League winner with Aston Villa, and a player who has established himself as one of the most decorated shot-stoppers of his generation. You don’t get to buy that profile for €5 million. Not from a club heading into the Champions League.
Juventus, by contrast, have not qualified for the Champions League next season — a massive factor in this negotiation. Villa are offering European football at the highest level. Juventus are offering Europa League football and, reportedly, a significantly reduced wage. The goalkeeper has accepted a €5 million per year salary in principle — lower than his current earnings at Villa Park — which does suggest some desire for a move to Turin. But desire and done deal are two very different things.
Juventus have not yet submitted an official bid to Aston Villa, and given the gap between what they want to pay and what Villa are demanding, it’s hard to see how this moves quickly. The Italians are trying to negotiate from a position of weakness. No Champions League football, a tighter budget, and a club that has seen this kind of speculation every single summer.
Every summer the rumour mill generates heat around this goalkeeper. Inter Milan. Manchester United. Now Juventus. Each time, he has stayed and delivered. Villa have Champions League football to offer, a long-term contract to point to, and zero reason to accept a discount.
Juventus want a world-class goalkeeper on the cheap. Aston Villa want €20 million for one of the best in the business. Something, or someone, will have to give — but right now, it isn’t Villa.
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