The 32-year-old arrived from Real Betis in January 2023 and he quickly became an integral part of Unai Emery’s side, given he was such an effective fit for the system and style of play that the Villa boss was implementing.
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While he made improvements defensively, his speed and attacking quality down the left flank added an important dynamic to our play, and he played a key role in our progression to this point.
Unfortunately, injuries derailed his time with us as he lost his place in the side to Lucas Digne, while Ian Maatsen was signed to provide further competition for places and Moreno was subsequently sent out on loan last summer to Nottingham Forest.
Although injuries restricted him again, he made 19 appearances for our Premier League rivals as he helped them qualify for Europe, but with his loan stint coming to an end this month, question marks remain over his future.
According to several reports, including from [Footmercato journalist Santi Aouna](https://x.com/Santi_J_FM/status/1932387065330544983), Leeds United have made contact with Villa to discuss a potential deal for the Spaniard, while it’s added that Betis, Real Sociedad and Burnley are also keen on him, albeit no official offer has yet arrived from any of those clubs.
While there has been talk that Digne could be sold this summer to help us with our current PSR and SCR predicament, Emery has moved in a different direction at left-back with Maatsen now heavily tipped to make that role his own next season.
Particularly if Digne stays, but with Samuel Iling-Junior in mind too and other potential signings, it doesn’t feel as though Moreno has a path back into the Villa line-up, and so it would suit all parties concerned to seal a permanent switch elsewhere this summer.
Time will tell if Leeds, Betis, Sociedad or Burnley make an offer that satisfies Villa’s demands and if they’re able to reach an agreement on personal terms with Moreno himself, but it certainly does look like the right decision from the club to let him go if a suitable offer comes in.
It has been a real shame to see Moreno’s time with us fizzle out, but hopefully if he does secure a move elsewhere this summer, he’s able to flourish and rediscover his best form, and preferably not with a league rival of ours next season.
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