Steven Gerrard scouted Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car last week ahead of a potential move to Premier League outfit Aston Villa, French reporter Ignazio Genuardi says via Get France Football News.
There are three certainties in life; death, taxes and that Marseille’s Croatian international defender will be linked with a move to England during each and every transfer window.
The talented Caleta-Car has been mentioned as a target for both Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers in recent times. Wolves reportedly offered £13 million seven months ago (RMC Sport).
West Ham, meanwhile, submitted a £20 million bid of their own all the way back in 2020 but missed out, just as they did last winter after weeks of intense negotiations with Jorge Sampaoli’s Champions League-chasing Marseille side (Sky Sports).
And who could forget, 15 months ago, when Caleta-Car was left stranded at Mairgnane Airport after a deadline-day move to Liverpool fell through, the Reds opting instead to sign Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak instead?
Who could blame the 6ft 5ins, former Red Bull Salzburg defender, then, if he was feeling pessimistic about his chances of a move to Aston Villa? Caleta-Car has been burned before, after all.
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According to Genuardi, Gerrard was keeping a close eye on the 25-year-old during L’OM’s 3-2 victory over Nantes last week. It was believed that the former Rangers boss was in France to watch Boubacar Kamara. But it seems the France U21 star is not the only reason for his trip to the Stade Velodrome.
Like Kamara, Caleta-Car’s contract is expiring fast. The giant centre-half, who compares his stylish approach to defending to Barcelona and Spain legend Gerard Pique, will be a free-agent in 2023 and Marseille are unlikely to stand in his way if Aston Villa – or any other Premier League side for that matter – step up their interest.
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Aston Villa are also reportedly keen on Liverpool’s Joe Gomez and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Matthias Ginter. Caleta-Car may be the most affordable – and attainable – of their centre-back targets however.
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