Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Unai Emery may have to say farewell to an Aston Villa star gaining transfer interest from Ajax.
Aston Villa defender Lamare Bogarde has hinted he could leave the club in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a terrific breakthrough season in the first team at Villa Park but he could depart just as he’s getting started.
Hide Ad
Acquired from Feyenoord in 2019 for less than half a million, Bogarde has progressed up the academy ranks and is finally proving to be a useful utility option, improving a great deal under the wing of head coach Unai Emery.
Of Bogarde’s 17 senior appearances for Villa, 16 have come this season, with eight in the Premier League, four in the Champions League, and two each in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. The Dutchman has proved he’s ready for more senior football, following on from two handy loan spells at Bristol Rovers in 2023, during which he played 36 times.
Bogarde initially looked a little raw when he stepped into the senior Villa fold at the start of this season, however he’s since adapted superbly, filling in when the likes of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Boubacar Kamara have been absent through injury.
Lamare Bogarde wooed by Ajax
Despite stepping up in a host of positions including defensive midfield, right-back and centre-half, Bogarde could soon say farewell to Villa. Emery would love to keep the Netherlands Under-21 international around but transfer interest from Dutch giants Ajax could prove too alluring.
Hide Ad
Although Bogarde is enjoying life at Villa Park, it has been difficult to ignore transfer speculation, especially when it has involved his home nation’s biggest club.
"I have seen it pass by, yes,” Bogarde admitted to Voetbal International.
“It’s great that a big club like Ajax is interested in you. Yes, with respect to Aston Villa, I am still under contract with them. My future will soon be more coming out.
“Right now, I’m just happy at Aston Villa. We will come to a decision together,” he said.
Hide Ad
Villa prepared for Bogarde transfer
If Bogarde does exit, it would be an unpopular decision as supporters are really starting to get on board with the youngster. It did take a little while for him to make a positive impression but he’s gone on leaps and bounds this season.
Villa are at least well-equipped to deal with Bogarde’s potential departure as any funds gained - likely several million - would be pure profit that can be put towards signing a replacement or several. Emery is already gearing up for the summer transfer window as he seeks to improve Villa’s squad depth.
There are many players already at the club who can step in, too. Andres Garcia, signed from Levante in January, is already ahead of Bogarde in the right-back pecking order and Kaine Kesler-Hayden will return from his loan at Preston North End as a more feasible option in that role.
The same can be said about defensive midfielder Enzo Barrenechea as well, as the Argentina international has been in terrific form on loan at Valencia. Villa could yet sell Barrenechea along with Bogarde but Emery is keen to give the 23-year-old an opportunity before any decisions are made.
In other news, John Terry has urged Jack Grealish to consider leaving Manchester City as speculation over a Villa return swirls.