Aston Villa are reportedly keen on Vitoria defender Ibrahima Bamba following confirmation of the Portuguese side’s integration into the hierarchy’s portfolio.
As confirmed earlier this week in a club statement, Villa’s holding company, V Sports, acquired a 46-percent stake in Vitoria, as the club hierarchy look to build a multi-club structure and network.
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That will naturally lead to talk of business being done between the respective clubs, and as reported by The Times, Villa are interested in Bamba, and discussions have begun over a possible summer transfer with the 20-year-old said to be valued at around €10m.
Further, it’s suggested that Villa have been given priority in transfer talks, and it’s possible that he will be loaned back to the Portuguese outfit for a year after a deal has been agreed.
Time will tell how the situation plays out, but Bamba has certainly made a positive impression at Vitoria, having made 33 appearances at senior level to date after coming through the youth ranks having made the move from Italy in July 2020.
Also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, he has largely been deployed as a centre-half this season, helping Vitoria to sit in fifth place in the league table having conceded 20 goals in their 20 games so far in this campaign.
Bamba is a physical, agile and smart centre-half, who remains composed in the tackle and uses his athleticism and speed well to nullify danger while also having good awareness and reading of the game.
With that ability to play in midfield, he is more than comfortable stepping forward with the ball and using his technical quality to also play a key role in building play from the back and transitioning into attack, whether with short or long passes.
In turn, while there is of course still a long way to go not only in terms of his development but also our interest to the point where a deal could be done, the talented youngster is certainly a player who could fit the mould of what Emery is looking for as he stamps his mark on the squad this summer.
That said, the touted idea to loan him back to Vitoria to continue to gain experience and improve his game would be a sensible one, but it remains to be seen what terms, if any, are agreed between the two clubs in the coming weeks and months.
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