Aston Villa have been linked with Bologna’s Filip Helander.
According to Tutto Bologna, Bologna have no intention of letting defender Filip Helander leave the club in January amid links to Aston Villa.
Helander, 24, came through the ranks with his hometown club Malmo, forming a strong centre back partnership with now-Leeds defender Pontus Jansson for the Swedish side.
A year after Jansson joined Torino, Helander made a 2015 move to Italy himself, joining Hellas Verona, but after just one season there, he moved on to Bologna.
With just 11 first-team appearances last season, many expected Helander to move on over the summer, especially with Goal reporting that Leeds United made an offer to reunite him with Jansson.
However, Helander has enjoyed something of a revival this season, missing just one Serie A games whilst attracting interest, with Tutto Mercato Web reporting that Aston Villa are interested in making a January move to sign him.
Villa may have to look elsewhere though, as Tutto Bologna report that Bologna ‘do not have the slightest intention of surrendering’ their centre back, and fully intend to keep him, with ‘no risk’ of a January deal.
Villa already have James Chester, John Terry and Christopher Samba, but landing a young centre back may be appealing – especially as veteran Tommy Elphick could move on in January.
With Bologna standing firm on Helander, Villa may need to weigh up other targets, whilst it also remains to be seen just how much money manager Steve Bruce will be able to spend in January.
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