Aston Villa intensifies transfer efforts with £4m bid for top French prospect

Aston Villa has made a significant move in the transfer market by submitting a £4 million bid for Rennes' promising 18-year-old forward, Mathis Lambourde. This development marks a key step in Villa's strategy to strengthen their squad with young talent.

The interest in Lambourde was first reported at the end of last month, with Aston Villa showing a strong desire to sign the young forward. Lambourde, who has been earning rave reviews at Stade Rennais, is considered one of the biggest talents at the club.

Rennes has a reputation for developing young players who often move on to some of Europe's top teams. Aston Villa's official bid, reported by Sport Witness, underscores their commitment to securing Lambourde's signature.

This bid for Lambourde comes during a frantic start to the summer transfer window for Aston Villa. The club recently confirmed the arrival of Ian Maatsen in a deal reportedly worth £37.5 million.

Additionally, Villa has been active in managing their squad to comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. This led to the sales of academy prospects Tim Iroegbunam and Omari Kellyman to Everton and Chelsea, respectively.

The imminent departure of Douglas Luiz to Juventus has also been a significant development, with Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea expected to join Villa as part of the deal.

Aston Villa's bid for Lambourde highlights their strategy of investing in young talent. The 18-year-old forward, who can also play on either wing, scored four goals for Rennes' youth side last season and made appearances for the first team.

While Lambourde may not be an immediate fixture in Unai Emery's plans, his development under the guidance of experienced players like Ollie Watkins could be invaluable. The young forward's potential to follow in the footsteps of Villa's homegrown talents, such as Jacob Ramsey and Jack Grealish, makes him a promising addition to the squad. Lambourde's ability to play multiple positions in the attack could provide Villa with valuable depth and versatility.

The Villans' proactive approach in the transfer market indicates their ambition to build a competitive team for the future, with Mathis Lambourde potentially playing a key role in their plans.

As the summer transfer window progresses, fans will be eagerly watching to see if Rennes accepts the offer and if Lambourde will be the latest addition to Villa's promising squad.