Aston Villa face a busy summer as they look to get their squad in place ahead of their return to the Champions League next season
Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas is keen to play in Europe
Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas is keen to play in Europe(Image: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Aston Villa could turn to Borussia Monchengladbach's Moritz Nicolas to succeed Emi Martinez if the Argentina international leaves the club this summer.
Doubts continue to persist over Martinez's future at Villa Park after he was close to sealing a move to Manchester United last summer.
And Sky Germany says they could look to Nicolas to fill the void with the goalkeeper having a clause in his contract that allows any of the top five clubs in the Bundesliga to sign him for €10-15 million.
But that does not apply to Premier League clubs with clubs in England having to pay €15 million.
Villa are said to have signalled their interest for Nicolas who kept 13 clean sheets in 34 Bundesliga games this season.
He produced an outstanding display in a 1-0 defeat to RB Leipzig last month and manager Eugen Polanski said: "The fact that Mo was voted the man-of-the-match despite the fact that we lost speaks volumes.
“Such a performance doesn’t surprise me.
“It’s a manifestation of what he delivers week after week and day after day in training. He’s an excellent keeper."
Villa turn down Luiz option
Aston Villa will not be making Douglas Luiz's move permanent with the midfielder expected to return to Juventus.
Villa have an option to sign the Brazilian for £25m, but according to the Athletic, they will be not be pursuing his signature.
The 28-year-old joined Villa for a second time in January on a loan deal until the end of the season but it's not quite worked out for Luiz who will now return to Juventus for pre-season.
After injuries to Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn, Villa moved for Luiz to help plug the gaps after he had started the season on loan at Nottingham Forest.
But the move to the City Ground was cut short and subsequently led him back to Villa Park where the club paid his full wages.
Despite his impressive first spell at the club, Luiz found first-team football difficult to come by and fell down the pecking order with Lamare Bogarde and Victor Lindelof moving ahead of him.
That culminated in 20 appearances and he scored once.
Unai Emery and his squad have brought silverware back to Villa Park by lifting the Europa League crown. And to celebrate, the Birmingham Mail have produced this stunning souvenir special edition, charting Villa's path to glory.
It is full of interviews, features, striking images and celebrations as we look back at a season to remember.
Rowe target
Aston Villa and Chelsea are said to be monitoring Bologna winger Jonathan Rowe amid speculation he could leave the Italian side this summer.
The former Norwich City winger has impressed in Italy and has registered his best numbers of his career.
Rowe scored eight goals and registered five assists in Serie A, and ended the campaign third Rossoblu group for goal involvements.
That is now said to have piqued the interest of clubs in England with Villa reportedly 'crazy' about the winger.
But Chelsea are also keeping tabs on Rowe with the club preparing for life under new manager Xabi Alonso following his appointment this summer.
Bologna are believed to be seeking between €40m and €45m for the winger and, with Rowe still having three years remaining on his contract, they have little incentive to lower their demands.
According to Italian daily newspaper, Il Resto del Carlino, both Aston Villa and Chelsea are ‘studying possible concrete moves’
Villa may well be a better destination for Rowe given the club can offer Champions League football, while Chelsea missed out on Europe's elite competition.
Rowe spoke fondly of Villa before their Europa League meeting back in April and described them as a "top class club"
Rowe went on to score against Villa, but Bologna lost as Unai Emery's side advanced to go on and win the trophy.
Where do Villa need to strengthen this summer? Have your say HERE
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