Transfer roundup: Aston Villa close to signing Alex Moreno
Aston Villa are reportedly close to sealing a deal for the transfer of left back Alex Moreno of Real Betis.
Recent rumors suggested the club were interested in the 29-year-old but on Monday it was confirmed by Fabrizio Romano that personal terms and a fee around €14 million were agreed.
Medical tests are expected to take place later this week.
The Spaniard has been with Betis since the start of the 2019-20 season and has made 122 appearances for the club across all competitions. He scored five of his six career goals with Betis in 30 matches last season.
Moreno was with Rayo Vallecano from 2014 to 2019 — he spent the 2015-16 season on loan at Elche — after stops at Mallorca and Llagostera. He’s former member of Barcelona’s youth academy.
Though uncapped at the international level, Moreno was in contention to make Spain’s World Cup squad late last year. Then-coach Luis Enrique opted for 19-year-old Barcelona starlet Alejandro Balde instead.
Where would Moreno fit in?
The pending acquisition of Moreno suggests manager Unai Emery’s is unhappy with his current first-choice left back, Lucas Digne, who’s only been at the club one year.
Ludwig Augustinsson, on season-long loan from Sevilla, started at left back in Sunday’s afternoon’s FA Cup third-round defeat to Stevenage but left the match early with an apparent leg injury.
Whether or not Digne remains at the club now is yet to be seen.
Aston Villa transfer tidbits
- Rumors on Sunday suggested Villa were on the verge of signing Harry Maguire from Manchester United, but Romano said those reports were false.
- Romano also said that Villa were among a contingent of English clubs that have inquired about Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie.
- Lee Kang-In, the exciting Mallorca and South Korea midfielder, is of interest to Villa, but not a “priority.”
- Forward Cameron Archer joined Middlesborough on loan until the end of the season.
- Villa have reportedly inquired about the availability of Udinese’s Gerard Deulofeu.
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