Martin Payero
Martin Payero (Image: Getty Images)
Aston Villa have been linked with a move for former Middlesbrough midfielder Martin Payero, ahead of the summer transfer window.
Payero, 26, plays for Udinese in Serie A and has been regularly involved this term when he's been available, making 27 appearances this season either side of a knee injury sustained in the winter.
He has previous experience of English football having spent a couple of seasons with Boro between 2021 and 2023, but he didn't feature too often and was loaned back to Argentinian outfit Boca Juniors for a year in between, during which he played regularly and contributed with five goals.
Since returning to Europe, Payero has made the move to Italy and has fared better than he did in the Championship. He has two years remaining on his Udinese contract, and the club have the option to extend that arrangement by a further year if they see fit to.
Villa have been credited with an interest in Payero, who is said to have an admirer in president of football operations Monchi.
Villa have a number of midfielders on the club's books currently; Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana and John McGinn are among Unai Emery's first choice options, along with Ross Barkley, Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers.
Villa also have Leander Dendoncker and Enzo Barrenechea to return from their various loan spells at the end of the season and Emery must decide whether to reintegrate the pair, or decide that their futures lie away from Villa Park.
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