Aston Villa target €60million marquee signing as Mateu Alemany ‘in talks’ with Unai Emery
Unai Emery and Mateu Alemany are reportedly being linked with a move for their first marquee signing this summer.
Villa are understood to be eyeing a move for highly-rated Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte, reports The Sun. The club’s representatives have previously scouted the 22-year-old at the Emirates Stadium in Arsenal’s Europa League clash in March.
Reports in Portugal claimed that the aforementioned clubs were present, with Villa making notes on Ugarte’s impressive performance. The Uruguayan has had plenty of interest from the Premier League including Newcastle United, Wolves and Leeds United.
Sporting boss Ruben Amorim is said to be keen to tie the midfielder down to a new contract, one which would see his release clause increase from €60million (£52m) to €80m (£70m).
Incoming football director Alemany will work closely with Emery once he leaves Barcelona on June 30. The Spanish boss could have “as much as” a backing of £200m from owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.
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