Aston Villa are currently in talks to potentially sign the former Fulham star after he was offered the chance to sign him, according to a new report.
Aston Villa look for new midfielder after Boubacar Kamara injury
Villa are in contention to cover in midfield after losing Boubacar Camara for the remainder of the season and have set their sights on some interesting targets.
Kamara played just nine minutes in the FA Cup win against Spurs but limped off with a serious knee problem that will rule him out of Villa’s remaining 16 Premier League games.
It’s a nightmare blow for the French midfielder, who has already missed eight months in 2024 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Now, manager Unai Emery needs an immediate replacement. Villa are reportedly eyeing ex-Chelsea forward Ruben Loftus-Cheek as an option after he has struggled to feature under new AC Milan manager Max Allegri this season.
The 29-year-old appeared in 23 games and played just 1,190 minutes for the Italian giants and was a strong possibility, but Romano reports that Milan are looking to lock Loftus-Cheek into a new contract to prevent him from leaving the club easily.
According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport (via Milan Report), Milan have placed a £13 million price tag on him. This is far less than what Villa would have paid for Conor Gallagher before Spurs snapped him up for £34m earlier this month.
Romano also reported this evening that Villa are considering a possible reunion with Douglas Luiz, who rejoins the Midlands outfit on loan from Juventus after releasing his contract at Nottingham Forest.
France international forward agrees terms to join Aston Villa, club negotiations underway
He may stage a coup.
That said, he faces stiff competition from Chelsea for the Brazilian, with both sides considering a temporary deal.
Villa are also said to be approaching Club Brugge star Rafael Onyedika (Sascha Tavolieri), but Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray are thought to be the frontrunners.
Returning to Rofus-Cheek, The Mail and journalist Simon Jones shared an important update.
Aston Villa look forward to signing Loftus and Cheek, negotiations ongoing
According to their sources, the former Fulham and Crystal Palace star remains a key target for Emery and negotiations are underway over the structure of a potential deal.
Villa are accelerating efforts to bring Loftus-Cheek back to the Premier League from Milan as they rush to strengthen their midfield, with the club apparently ‘pushing ahead’ with a move.
The Mail also reports that Villa have been given the chance to sign the Englishman, contrary to reports about Romano’s new contract talks.
Loftus-Cheek is an experienced option player who knows the ins and outs of English football from a long career at Chelsea, as well as loan spells at Palace and Fulham.
Milan are said to be open to selling the England international as he has struggled to maintain consistency under Allegri, starting just eight of 19 Serie A games.
This suggests that the Rossoneri’s future is uncertain and could lead to smoother negotiations with Villa.
However, Villa isn’t putting all his eggs in one basket.
The Mail has once again reported that Luiz has been offered a return to his former club alongside Onyedika from Club Brugge.
Luiz’s option would represent a surprising U-turn after Villa sold him to Juventus for £42m in 2024, but his familiarity with Emery’s system could make him attractive.
Villa have important decisions to make as the transfer deadline approaches.
This is a crucial decision, as the wrong replacement for Kamara could derail the entire season.
Fabrizio Romano: Aston Villa could re-sign Abraham and another former star
The Villains could seal multiple reunions during this period.
