According to TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are now interested in bringing Atlético Madrid stalwart Geoffrey Kondogbia to the Premier League.
What’s the story?
Well, Steven Gerrard is believed to be focused on bolstering the defensive midfield department at Villa Park, and he’s identified the 29-year-old as a potential solution.
The 41-year-old is said to have travelled to Madrid to watch Kondogbia take on Manchester City in the Champions League Quarter-Final tie at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Now, TEAMtalk understand the Villans will have to part with a significant sum if they’re to sign the £115,000-a-week man, as Diego Simeone has no plans to sell him.
Kondogbia cost Atlético Madrid £18m when they signed him from Valencia in 2020, and Aston Villa will have to pay far more than that – and also offer him vastly improved wages – if they’re to sign him.
So far this season, the Central Africa international has made 34 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal while also providing two assists.
Geoffrey Kondogbia would thrive at Aston Villa
In our view, Kondogbia is built for the Premier League, and he would be a fantastic signing for the Villans.
The Atlético Madrid No.4 combines his combative physical attributes with impressive technical ability, to make him the complete midfield package.
Interestingly, Kondogbia has even been described as a better player than Paul Pogba by his former Valencia boss Marcelino Garcia Toral.
To just be compared to a £93m footballer, as well as a World Cup winner, is quite the praise, so for Kondogbia to be described as even better than Pogba speaks volumes.
Tottenham also once viewed him as the heir to Mousa Dembele, which also reflects well on the midfield powerhouse.
In our view, he needs to be Gerrard’s No.1 target this summer.
As things stand, Aston Villa look very weak in midfield, and lack defensive options in that area after Marvelous Nakamba suffered an injury.
Keep an eye on this saga, as Gerrard aims to lure Kondogbia to the Premier League.
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