Aston Villa are preparing to enter the Champions League for a second time in three seasons next season, and Unai Emery is already looking at ways to strengthen his squad.
The Villans currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, eight points clear of Brighton with just four games remaining, meaning it would take an almighty collapse for them to miss out on a return to Europe’s premier competition in the next campaign.
As a result, the club are keen to bolster their squad to ensure they can remain competitive in all competitions, and the club has now joined the race to sign a versatile star who has been shining in the Champions League this season.
Aston Villa Eyeing Maxi Araujo Deal
According to an exclusive report by Sport Witness, Aston Villa have are among a host of Premier League clubs showing a strong interest in Sporting CP star Maxi Araujo for this summer.
The Uruguay international has impressed this season, netting six goals and four assists as a left-back for the Portuguese champions, while he is also capable of playing further forward on the wing too. That versatility is understood to be something that appeals to Emery, as he looks for ways to add more depth to his side.
It’s understood that Sporting want around €50m (£43.2m) for the 26-year-old, despite the fact he has an €80m (£69.2m) release clause in his contract, but it remains unclear if Villa would be willing to pay such an amount to secure a deal.
The player himself is understood to be fully focused on Sporting and this summer’s World Cup, rather than a transfer away, at this moment, but Villa are ready to make a move should the terms of a transfer begin to suit them, and the player shows an interest in making the switch to England’s top flight.
Can Araujo Replace Digne?
Villa have been mixing and matching their left-back options all season, with Lucas Digne and Ian Maatsen competing for a starting spot and sharing the responsibility.
But despite signing a new contract until 2028 last summer, it’s clear that Digne’s performance levels aren’t quite what they once were, and this summer could be an ideal chance to move the left-back on – especially considering he will turn 33 before the new season begins.
Araujo can provide great energy, speed and aggression from the left-back position, while he also has the Champions League experience that will help the team to improve. It could be a shrewd bit of business, but they face stiff competition for his signature, so may have to move quickly to get it done.
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