Aston Villa have already identified a top summer transfer target.placeholder image
Aston Villa have already identified a top summer transfer target. | AFP via Getty Images
A complication has arisen surrounding a proposed Aston Villa transfer bid ahead of this summer.
Aston Villa have been one of this season’s greatest success stories in the Premier League – if not in Europe – and are looking good value to qualify for the Champions League under Unai Emery for the second time.
Things may have been different, though, after a challenging summer transfer window in which the Villans were restricted by PSR and brought in players who largely have not impacted the team as hoped – Harvey Elliott and new Crystal Palace loanee Evann Guessand being two of their biggest arrivals.
Top four money and the continued ascent of Emery and his side’s stocks will likely aid Villa in their transfer goals this summer. The West Midlands outfit are hoping to dine at Europe’s top table in the long-term and will look to continue to develop both on and off the pitch to end up where they want to be.
Aston Villa target signs new deal at Sporting
According to reports by Sport Witness, relaying reports by Record in Portugal, Aston Villa may have hit a roadblock in their attempts to sign Sporting CP winger Geny Catamo – who has recently signed a new contract with the Portuguese giants.
The new deal reportedly sees the 25-year-old Mozambique international almost double his wage from €400,000 per year (£340,000) to €700,000 per year (£600,000). Though his release clause remains at €60m (£51m), with the player tied down until 2029, Sporting are more likely to demand a high fee from potential suitors.
Reporting continues that Sporting know Aston Villa are interested following a failed approach last summer. Fenerbahce also saw a £17m bid rejected, with the Portuguese giants demanding £21m-£26m at the time to sell Catamo.
While Record suggest Sporting might be open to negotiating for slightly above £17m this summer, the fact that the player has now signed an extension puts them in a strong negotiating position to demand even more – but Villa are unlikely to give up.
Catamo could elevate Villa - who should not give up
Catamo is continuing to get better and improve his numbers in front of goal, with Villa aware of this as they target the Mozambique international as a future Villa Park recruit. He has bagged six goals and four assists in all competitions this season – just one away from equalling his previous career best in both regards – and found the net twice at AFCON as his nation reached the knock-out stages.
Operating from the right wing, Catamo would add depth and decisive match-winning ability to an area of the field in which Villa offer few options at present. With loanee Jadon Sancho their only natural left-winger and 19-year-old Alysson competing with the recalled Leon Bailey on the right, Catamo could arrive in Birmingham and make the position his own as Emery looks to fight on all fronts again next season.
Villa will face a challenge if they revisit a transfer for Catamo – with the player tied down to a new contract, continuing to improve and see his transfer value increase. But if Emery’s side reach the Champions League, they could offer an attractive proposition.
Continue Reading