Sevilla president Pepe Castro has admitted that the club are in talks to sell World Cup winning left-back Marcos Acuna to Premier League outfit Aston Villa.
After Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk all-but confirmed Nicolo Zaniolo’s potential £26.5 million switch to Aston Villa on Tuesday night – the Italy international, he says, wants to play in the Premier League – Sevilla went public about reports suggesting that talks regarding a move to the Midlands for Marcos Acuna are also underway.
Acuna, like Zaniolo, will arrive in England to offset a recent injury blow.
Zaniolo replaces the stricken Emi Buendia. Acuna, meanwhile, could step in for fellow La Liga import Alex Moreno for the time being, with Lucas Digne potentially on his way to Saudi Arabia.
Sevilla’s president confirms, in conversation with Cope, that talks between Aston Villa and the Europa League winners are underway. But reports suggesting that Villa have seen an opening bid of £4.3 million rejected, he adds, are wide of the mark.
Aston Villa in Marcos Acuna talks with Sevilla
“We don’t have any written offer from Monchi or Aston Villa. They’re just conversations,” Castro explains.
Monchi, Sevilla’s long serving director, is now the President of Football Operations at Villa Park. Interestingly, Monchi also knows Zaniolo from his brief spell in the Roma boardroom.
Sevilla, meanwhile, are reportedly holding out for a minimum of £13 million for Acuna.
“Acuna is a world champion player with Argentina, a European champion with Sevilla and has a price. When an offer arrives, we will study it. And if it helps us to improve the team and be able to bring in young players with potential, then that is our business model,” Castro adds.
“We are going to return to that business model; young players with potential and capital gains. If Monchi calls me, for Sevilla I will do what I have to do – what is good for the club.”
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