Aston Villa’s pursuit of Dion Lopy has been given fresh momentum after Amadou Onana’s serious knee injury. Reports from Spain claim the Premier League club’s interest has intensified as Unai Emery looks to replace the Belgian.
Villa have been linked with the UD Almería midfielder throughout the summer. However, La Voz de Almería now presents the situation in a different light.
According to the Spanish newspaper, Onana’s anterior cruciate ligament injury has turned Lopy from an attractive target into a pressing priority for Emery.
The Belgian is expected to be sidelined for between seven and nine months after suffering the injury during Belgium’s World Cup last-16 clash against the United States. As a result, this leaves Aston Villa short of one of their key midfielders ahead of a busy campaign.
Earlier this week, we covered that the Birmingham club could make a move for Celta de Vigo’s Ilaix Moriba. However, Dion Lopy is not only more suited to Onana’s role in the team, but is also less expensive.
Onana setback changes Aston Villa plans
The Spanish outlet explains Aston Villa’s interest in the 24-year-old is nothing new, as we already know. However, the club’s need for a midfielder with physical presence has grown significantly. Villa will also want a player with such ball-winning ability and energy following Onana’s injury.
Lopy is considered a strong fit for that profile after impressing for Almería. The club missed out on promotion from the Segunda División but he had a brilliant season.
While previous reports suggested Aston Villa had already made an offer for the Senegal international, La Voz de Almería’s latest update focuses on how Onana’s absence could accelerate negotiations. Instead of revealing fresh figures, the report highlights how the situation has changed.
Almería remain firm
The report adds that Almería continue to stand firm over their valuation and are directing interested clubs towards Lopy’s release clause.
The Spanish side are also keeping contingency plans in place. Real Zaragoza’s Yussif Saidu remains their preferred replacement should the midfielder complete the move to Villa Park.
For Aston Villa, though, the biggest development is the change in circumstances. Lopy was already on Emery’s shortlist, but Onana’s long-term injury appears to have made reinforcing central midfield a far more urgent task before the new season begins.