Ilaix Moriba of RC Celta de Vigo reacts
Ilaix Moriba of RC Celta de Vigo reacts
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Aston Villa are reportedly looking at a deal to sign Celta Vigo midfielder Iliax Moriba in a £15m transfer move, although the Spanish club have stated they aren't interested in a deal.
That's the report from transfer journalist, Alan Nixon, who claims that Villa's valuation of the player is too low and that Moriba himself has reservations as to whether he would just be a squad man at Villa Park.
The 23-year-old is a former product of Barcelona's academy and plays in central midfield and is know as a box to box player with strong physical strength.
Since breaking into the Barcelona side in 2020/2021, he moved on to Valencia, Getafe, and then to RB Leipzig. he failed to cement a future in Germany and it saw a return to Spain with Celta Vigo.
Villa are not the only club credited with an interest in Moriba with Crystal Palace, Juventus, and Galatasaray also said to be interested in his services.
The news come as Villa look to rebuild their midfield after the Youri Tielemans' departure to Manchester United in a £35m deal.
Villa moved quickly to reach an agreement with Wolves for Joao Gomes which is expected to be confirmed in the next 24 hours.
Gomes' arrival will follow the signing of Johan Manzambi for a club-record £52 million. Villa are also targeting Joao Palhinha on loan to provide cover for the injured Amadou Onana, who is expected to miss most, if not all, of next season after suffering an ACL rupture.
One player going the other way out of Villa Park could be be Ross Barkley with Coventry City and Fulham interested in his services.
So far no deal has been struck, and it could be that Unai Emery chooses toretain him as a useful squad player should no concrete offers come in.
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