Aston Villa and Arsenal have been given an opportunity to sign an in-demand Valencia defender.
Valencia have reportedly set a bargain asking price for promising central defender Cristhian Mosquera ahead of the summer transfer window.
The La Liga club are reluctant to lose Mosquera for free and that would become a real possibility if they don’t sell this summer, with the 20-year-old’s contract expiring next June. Mosquera triggered a one-year extension in his old deal back in March to keep him at the Mestalla for another season, but that clause was more to cover Valencia’s back financially rather than to get a year extra out of the player, it would seem.
Mosquera, five times a Spain under-21 international, has started 36 of Valencia’s 37 La Liga matches with one more game to go. Los Ches looked threatened by relegation in December but new head coach Carlos Corberan left West Bromwich Albion to steer his boyhood club to safety. Mosquera has played a pivotal role in Valencia’s redemption, with a top-half finish now possible on the final day.
Widely regarded as one of the most talented young defenders in Spain, Mosquera has unsurprisingly attracted widespread transfer interest. The physical and speedy centre-half, who can also play at right-back, is understood to be a transfer target for Aston Villa, while Arsenal have been heavily linked in recent weeks.
Reports in Spain in the past 24 hours suggest Villa and Arsenal must get a wriggle on if they want to sign Mosquera, however, as RB Leipzig are storming ahead. The Bundesliga club, said to be pushing hard, have reportedly been quoted €20 million (£16.8m) for Mosquera by Valencia and the player is keen on the idea of moving to Germany.
Villa, in need of a new versatile defender to bolster the depth and cover, will need to respond to Leipzig’s movements if they want any realistic chance of landing Mosquera. It could be worth taking a risk as the Spaniard has huge potential and could kill two birds with one stone due to his ability to play in the centre or as a right full-back.
Aston Villa must sell before they buy
It could be tricky for the Villans to move quickly to sign Mosquera as there are financial limitations Unai Emery and Monchi must first navigate. Villa are once again walking a fine line with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations and are understood to need to make at least one substantial sale before they can conduct expensive incoming business.
Premier League clubs are allowed to lose £105 million over a three-year period and Villa are failing on that front. If the issue isn’t addressed before the deadline on June 30, the Villans could face a punishment as severe as a points deduction for next season. It was a similar situation last year, too, as Villa had to sell Moussa Diaby and Douglas Luiz for a combined £92 million just to comply with PSR.
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