Aston Villa are confident of beating Premier League rivals Newcastle and West Ham United to the departing Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso with Antonio Conte also keen on the Spain international.
EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
With Tyrone Mings yet to recover from an ACL injury which kept him out for almost the entirety of last season, with Clement Lenglet returning to Barcelona and Aston Villa open to offers for Diego Carlos, there is room in the Midlands for a centre-half capable of playing on the left of Unai Emery’s back four.
And HITC understands that a Champions League-bound Aston Villa are leading the race to bring Mario Hermoso to England. The left-footed 28-year-old is also on West Ham’s radar. Newcastle could make a move of their own after Chelsea snapped up Fulham contract rebel Tosin Adarabioyo from under Eddie Howe’s nose.
Aston Villa lead race for Atletico Madrid’s Mario Hermoso
But Aston Villa remain confident that Hermoso will be wearing their claret-and-blue kit in 2024/25. Capped five times by the Spanish national team, the out-of-contract Atletico stopper may be intrigued by the prospect of playing under compatriot Unai Emery.
Champions League football is also likely to appeal, with West Ham and Newcastle – thanks to Manchester United’s FA Cup win – destined to go through next season without continental action of any kind.
HITC have been told that Napoli – who are set to hire ex-Chelsea, Inter Milan and Italy boss Antonio Conte as their new head coach – are in contact with Hermoso too. An offer is being prepared in an attempt to lure the one-time Real Madrid youngster to Serie A.
Aston Villa appear to be Hermoso’s most likely destination as things stand.
A La Liga champion under Diego Simeone in 2021, Hermoso’s versatility could make him a superb, bargain addition to Emery’s roster. While a centre-half by trade, the £21 million signing from Espanyol has also proven himself capable of stepping in at full-back if required.
Hermoso’s agent, Inaki Espizua, appeared to confirm in April that his client will be leaving the Wanda Metropolitano when he becomes a free-agent this summer.
Spain international set for La Liga exit
“He is a player who is doing very well and who has grown a lot in these five years in Madrid. Now he is finishing his contract with Atletico Madrid,” Espizua told CN24TV.
“It’s not a given that he will go and play elsewhere. But, when you sign a contract, there must be a common project. And, at the moment, we are far from a renewal with Atletico Madrid.
“Mario wants to play in a major league. He doesn’t want to discard any options He wants to play for important goals. We will evaluate any project that may come for the next few years, this is the player’s aspiration.”
Aston Villa, HITC have been told, are also in talks to bring Ross Barkley back to the Midlands from Luton Town. The England international had a loan spell in claret-and-blue back in 2020/21.
There is also interest in Carlos Soler and Xavi Simons of Paris Saint-Germain, as well as Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga-winning speed-machine Jeremie Frimpong.
A Villa side under pressure from Financial Fair Play can also free up funds by getting Philippe Coutinho off the wage bill. Coutinho wants to rejoin former employers Vasco da Gama in Brazil.
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