Aston Villa are reportedly in advanced talks with Real Betis for left-back Alex Moreno, in a deal which could be worth £12m.
Unai Emery is expected to stamp his mark on the squad this month with new signings and possible outgoings, having had around two months now to assess the group and identify where we need to strengthen.
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While there’s little doubt he would have been backed regardless, but having collected nine points from a possible 12 in the Premier League since taking charge, there is real confidence and belief in what he is trying to build and implement at Villa.
According to The Telegraph, Moreno could become his first signing as Villa boss, as it’s reported that we’re in advanced talks with Betis over a transfer, in a deal that could be worth around £12m.
It promises to be an intriguing month in the transfer market for Villa, and Moreno could be the first of several new signings. The Telegraph report above goes on to add that Emery wants at least three new additions in January, with a new winger said to be a priority for him.
With Moreno potentially satisfying his needs at left-back, a winger to perhaps play on the right side given our troubles in midweek against Wolves amid injury setbacks, it remains to be seen where the third and any additional signings would be targeted for.
Moreno, 29, has 121 appearances for Betis since his move in 2019, and in addition to his defensive work at left-back, he has six goals and 14 assists in those outings.
In 127 games for his former club Rayo Vallecano, he bagged nine goals and nine assists, and so there is enough there to suggest that he’ll add quality to our attacking play too.
What that means for Lucas Digne remains to be seen, if an agreement is reached, as the French international will almost certainly face stiffer competition, and possibly may even find himself being replaced in the Villa starting XI with Emery bringing his own players in.
Further, with Ludwig Augustinsson’s loan deal set to end this summer, time will tell if he’s unlikely to be kept on a permanent basis and will return to Sevilla, or if he will remain as cover moving forward.
