Aston Villa’s stance on signing £30m ace ‘similar to Paolo Maldini’ explained…

Aston Villa’s stance on signing £30m ace ‘similar to Paolo Maldini’ explained…

Aston Villa are big fans of Andrea Cambiaso and held discussions with Serie A giants Juventus over the summer before Ian Maatsen left Chelsea for the Premier League high-flyers.

 

Exclusive from Graeme Bailey

With the January transfer window now just over a month away, speculation surrounding one of Europe’s finest young full-backs is on the rise again.

Andrea Cambiaso, the swashbuckling Italy international, has been one of the biggest success stories of the Thiago Motta era at Juventus so far.

 

His rampaging displays have made Cambiaso one of the first names on Luciano Spalletti’s Azzurri team sheet too. The Genoa-born 24-year-old scored his second goal in four caps during Italy’s 3-1 defeat by France in UEFA Nations League action this month.

 

But, while the rumours rear their head again over in Italy, TBR can confirm that Aston Villa are unlikely to make a major splash for a new left-back in 2025.

TBR understands that Aston Villa are big admirers of former Bologna and Empoli loanee Cambiaso.

 

Unai Emery’s side did have discussions with Juventus over the summer, though the Bianconeri had no interest in selling. Tuttosport back up TBR’s claims, while adding that Aston Villa were ready to offer Juventus £30 million before accepting defeat.

 

A few months on, with Lucas Digne playing arguably the best football of his career and Ian Maatsen providing competition, a left-back is hardly an area in need of reinforcement at Villa Park.

Aston Villa happy with Lucas Digne amid Andrea Cambiaso links

The Midland giants are delighted with the progress Digne has made under Emery.

 

Back in the France squad after two years away, the former Barcelona, PSG and Everton man provided two assists and forced an own goal from Gianluigi Donnarumma during that aforementioned victory over Cambiaso’s Italy on Sunday.

 

Maatsen, a £37 million signing from Chelsea, has showcased a few glimpses into his own talent, albeit largely from a back-up role so far. The Dutchman, who represented Borussia Dortmund in last season’s Champions League final during a loan spell in Germany, was snapped up by Aston Villa after they gave up the ghost with Cambiaso.

 

“Lucas is really amazing in how he [is] doing his process here with us,” Emery told reporters of Digne in October. “When I arrived here, I was not happy with his performances.

“I was not happy and I told him in that moment, I needed more from him. I am impressed about how he accepted everything even when I was sometimes being very hard with him.

 

“He accepted and he was adapting in everything I was asking of him, and really he deserved to come back again with his national team. We are very happy for him. He’s very happy, of course. And now he’s playing again Champions League.

 

“I first told him that I wanted to add one more left-back in the squad and we did with Alex Moreno. This summer, we did it with Ian Maatsen. But he accepted the challenges.”

 

Aston Villa eye Joel Ordonez and Spain’s Alex Baena

TBR understands that, while Villa are unlikely to pursue another left-back for the time being, there could be space for another centre-half.