Aston Villa have reportedly reached an agreement with Levante over the signing of Andres Garcia.
The 21-year-old has emerged as a top transfer target for Villa this week, as we continue to look to strengthen our options at right-back.
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Various names have been linked with a move since the January transfer window opened for business, but it appears as though Unai Emery, Monchi and our scouting team have now found their preferred option.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Villa have agreed a deal with Levante to sign Garcia, and it’s suggested that the fee will be around €7m. Further, it’s claimed that Emery himself spoke with the Spanish defender as he green lit the move, and so it seems like a mere matter of time before the signing is completed.
The Spaniard has made 50 appearances at senior level for Levante after initially coming through their youth ranks, and in addition to his defensive duties, he has contributed four goals and six assists in those outings.
Naturally, at his age, he’ll have plenty of room for development and improvement, but those numbers would suggest that he can offer something in both phases, and that is key for Emery who needs his full-backs to not only defend and be comfortable and composed in possession, but also to push forward and contribute to our attacking dynamic.
Should Garcia arrive this month as now heavily suggested, he will try to push Matty Cash for that starting berth in the Villa XI, with Kosta Nedeljkovic likely to leave on loan.
It’s hoped that the Serbian international’s future with us isn’t placed in doubt as a result of this touted transfer move, as he has shown promise and potential thus far, but he certainly needs regular playing time at his age to continue to develop, having now had six months working with Emery and the Villa squad.
For Villa to pluck Garcia from the second tier of Spanish football though would suggest that our scouting team feel that he is the best fit for Emery’s system and style of play. Matteo Moretto has since reported that negotiations over a move for Oscar Mingueza, who was previously linked, have now broken down.
Should he seal a move to join us, it’s hoped he proves to be the right choice and adds required depth and competition at right-back.