Aston Villa continue to be linked with potential new signings as the summer transfer window remains a busy affair for Unai Emery and co.
Champions League football is heading to Villa Park and Aston Villa have been making moves ahead of facing Europe’s best.
Villa have snapped up Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea from Juventus but midfielder Douglas Luiz has moved in the opposite direction.
Exchanges have been a real theme of the summer for Villa with Ian Maatsen coming in from Chelsea and Omari Kellyman heading the other way.
Midfielder Tim Iroegbunam joined Everton but Lewis Dobbin has swapped Goodison Park for Villa Park.
Villa have also re-signed former players Jaden Philogene and Ross Barkley, meaning that this has been a very busy summer for the club.
Udinese chief on Jaka Bijol
Villa are still interested in other signings though, even after splashing the cash on Amadou Onana just days ago.
One big sale may even materialise with HITC understanding that striker Jhon Duran could join West Ham United.
Villa will look for more signings and Tuttomercatoweb claimed earlier in July that Villa had launched an enquiry into a deal for Udinese defender Jaka Bijol.
The 6ft 3in powerhouse was simply outstanding for Slovenia, turning in a string of superb displays – including against Cristiano Ronaldo in the last 16.
Bijol has understandably turned heads with his performances this summer and Villa are seemingly interested.
Udinese technical director Gianluca Nani has now been asked about Bijol’s future amid mounting interest in his signature,.
Nani has told Tuttomercatoweb that Udinese won’t set a public price on Bijol because he is simply ‘priceless’.
Nani adds that Udinese will reluctantly listen to offers if they arrive, but the plan is to keep him this summer.
“What is the price of Bijol? He is priceless, when you do not want to sell him you cannot set a price to sell him,” said Nani. “We will listen to the offers but he is one of our leaders, we would like to keep him,” he added.
Villa defensive options
It’s no surprise that Villa were impressed with Bijol at Euro 2024 but they do have some defensive options.
Pau Torres and Diego Carlos have been signed for considerable fees in recent years having previously excelled in La Liga.
Ezri Konsa is nearing a return to Villa training having featured at Euro 2024 with England whilst Tyrone Mings is on his way back to fitness.
Konsa plays at full back at times, so Bijol could be viewed as right-footed competition for Carlos whilst Torres and Mings battle it out on the left side.
Udinese aren’t too keen on the idea of selling Bijol but Villa may yet firm up that rumoured interest and test Nani’s stance that the powerful centre back is ‘priceless’.
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