Aston Villa are reportedly pushing to sign Bologna ace Amadou Diawara.
Bologna’s Amadou Diawara challenges Napoli star Marek Hamsik
According to major Italian newspaper Tuttosport, Aston Villa have agreed a fee of €17m (£14.7m) for Bologna midfielder Amadou Diawara.
Villa have already landed one midfielder this summer in Aaron Tshibola, with the 21-year-old – who is tipped to have a bright future – joining from Reading back in July.
However, having lost Idrissa Gueye to Everton and Carlos Sanchez to Fiorentina, manager Roberto Di Matteo may yet target more central midfielders before this month’s transfer deadline.
The Guardian report that a move for Crystal Palace veteran Mile Jedinak is expected this week, but Italian newspaper Tuttosport claim that Villa are attempting to sign Bologna star Amadou Diawara in a bid-money deal.
Amadou Diawara celebrates
They report that Villa have agreed a fee of €17m (£14.7m) for Diawara, who has emerged as one of the top young prospects in Italian football over the last year.
Formerly of Lega Pro side San Marino, Diawara only joined Bologna last summer but has become a star in Serie A, impressing with his ability as a holding midfielder as he has power, speed, long passing ability and vision at the age of just 19.
Amadou Diawara in action with Roma’s Seydou Keita
Diawara – who has earned comparisons to Premier League midfielders Mikel John Obi and Yaya Toure – is wanted by a host of clubs, but Tuttosport claim that Villa are ambitiously looking to rival the likes of Napoli and Roma for his signature.
It’s claimed that, after Villa agreed the £14.7m fee with Bologna, Diawara is considering their offer given that Villa are in the Championship rather than the Premier League, and with Serie A interest, this may be a difficult deal for Villa to seal.
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