Aston Villa remain hopeful of signing £16m-rated Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur before the transfer window closes – but Max Allegri is unwilling to let the Uruguayan leave unless he can secure a proven replacement
Aston Villa remain hopeful of signing Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus once the Serie A club have secured a replacement.
The Uruguay international is a top target for Villa but Juve boss Max Allegri is unwilling to let him leave until the club have agreed a deal for a proven midfielder this month.
MailOnline first revealed last Saturday that Villa had made an approach for Bentancur, who is valued at about £16million.
Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard (left) remains hopeful of signing Rodrigo Bentancur (right)
His former club Boca Juniors insisted on a substantial proportion of any future transfer fee when he moved to Italy in 2017, though this is not thought to be an obstacle to a potential deal with Villa.
Juventus had identified Bruno Guimaraes, of Lyon, and Borussia Monchengladbach star Denis Zakaria as potential signings this month and were also considering a late move for Cagliari’s Nahitan Nandez.
Bentancur was high on Villa’s list as soon as boss Steven Gerrard identified the need for a holding midfielder, after Marvelous Nakamba suffered a knee injury in December.
Max Allegri (pictured) is unwilling to let the midfielder go unless Juventus find a replacement
Bentancur also received a positive reference from Gerrard’s former Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez, his international team-mate.
Villa had also shown interest in Yves Bissouma, who Brighton value above £40million, and will also seek to sign a centre-back before the window closes.
After Axel Tuanzebe cancelled his loan in order to join Napoli from Manchester United on another temporary switch, Villa’s only senior centre-backs are Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause.
They have already signed Lucas Digne from Everton for £25m this month, as well as Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen on loan.