Steven Gerrard has now marked Rodrigo Bentancur as his top midfield target, as Aston Villa continue discussions with Serie A side Juventus over the Uruguayan’s late window transfer.
That’s according to the Express & Star, who report the Villans are hopeful of agreeing terms this week. Talks have hit a slight stumbling block as Juventus will owe Bentancur’s previous side Boca Juniors 33% of any profit. They agreed the sell-on clause as part of an £8m deal.
The Bianconeri signed Bentancur in 2017 and the 24-year-old has since played 181 times in all competitions. He has also made 26 of his appearances this season, including in 19 of the Old Lady’s 23 league fixtures. He has not missed a top-flight game since November 27, too.
Aston Villa are, however, optimistic Bentancur will move from Juventus for less than £20m. The Villans also scouted the 45-cap international last Sunday, as he anchored Massimiliano Allegri’s engine room at AC Milan. The San Siro clash ended goalless, to leave Juve in fifth.
Another potential hurdle in Aston Villa’s transfer pursuit is that Bentancur has already left Juventus for Uruguay duty. Diego Alonso’s side visit Paraguay on Thursday and then host Venezuela on Tuesday in World Cup qualifying ties. La Celeste are only in seventh-place.
Bentancur’s international commitments are not expected to prevent his transfer, though. Allegri is also eager to offload the midfielder before the market slams shut, per Tuttosport.
Juventus may only make £6m profit with Aston Villa transfer for Bentancur
Juventus want to sell Bentancur to raise funds for their own last-ditch transfers and would send him to Aston Villa for €20m (£17m). That would leave Allegri with around €7m (£6m) to spend after Juve pay Boca Juniors their 33% of the profits.
The Villans will struggle to drive the Bianconeri’s value down much more than that, given Allegri needs the cash. Also, given the 24-year-old is still a regular part in his Juve plans.
Yet Aston Villa will likely feel happy to pay Juventus’ asking price to hand Gerrard their top midfield transfer target in Bentancur. He could then obtain an instant role in the Villa Park ranks upon arriving in England, given compatriot Diego Godin’s previous praise for him.
“For me, he played a lot and well at Juve,” Godin said in 2018, via TuttoMercatoWEB. “They have taken on a young man who makes the difference and plays as a veteran. He has an impressive personality, he will grow a lot and will give a lot to Juve. He is a top player.”
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