Aston Villa are preparing to make a splash in the summer transfer window, with Torino's talented wing-back Raoul Bellanova emerging as a top target.
The 23-year-old Italian defender has impressed Villa's sporting director Monchi and manager Unai Emery, who believe he could be a valuable addition to their squad for the 2024/25 season according to Torino Granata.
Bellanova, who is valued at around £21 million, has been turning heads with his outstanding performances for Torino this season. His attacking prowess from the right flank has caught the attention of several clubs, but it is Aston Villa who are now considering a move for the young star as they look to upgrade their options at right-back.
Current Villa right-back Matty Cash has been a consistent performer for the club, contributing four goals in all competitions this season, including a deflected strike against Lille in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals.
However, he has occasionally found himself behind centre-back Ezri Konsa in the pecking order, and Bellanova's potential arrival could provide healthy competition and depth to Villa's defensive lineup.
When comparing the stats of the two players in the 23/24 season, Bellanova appears to have the edge over Cash. In Serie A, the Italian wing-back has made 31 appearances, earning a Sofascore rating of 7.05, while Cash has made 26 appearances in the Premier League with a Sofascore rating of 6.93.
Bellanova has also been more productive in attack, registering 6 assists and 1.4 key passes per game, compared to Cash's 1 assist and 0.4 key passes per game.
Defensively, Bellanova boasts a 60% duel success rate and is dribbled past only 0.2 times per game, while Cash has a 49% duel success rate and is dribbled past 1.0 times per game. However, Cash slightly edges Bellanova in ball recoveries per game, with 3.8 compared to the Italian's 3.6.
Aston Villa's potential success this season could be a major draw for players like Bellanova. The Villans are currently in the hunt for Champions League qualification and have reached the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League, demonstrating their ambition and growth under the guidance of Unai Emery.
The proposed £21 million signing of Bellanova could prove to be an astute piece of business for Aston Villa as they aim to build on their on-pitch success and assemble a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts next season.
With Monchi and Emery already identifying potential targets, Villa fans have every reason to be excited about the upcoming summer transfer window.
Aston Villa's interest in Raoul Bellanova is a clear indication of their desire to strengthen their squad and continue their upward trajectory. The Italian wing-back's potential arrival could provide a significant boost to Villa's defensive and attacking options, making them a force to be reckoned with in the 2024/25 season.