Mario Hermoso to ‘seriously consider’ Aston Villa transfer instead of summer Saudi Pro League switch
Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso will “seriously consider” a move to Aston Villa ahead of the Saudi Pro League, according to Alan Hutton.
The Spanish defender is set to leave Spain this summer as a free agent having not signed a new contract with Diego Simeone’s side and reports suggest that Unai Emery’s side has already put a contract offer on the table [Sport Mediaset, 24 March].
However, reports from Spain [Marca, 23 March] have suggested teams in the Saudi Pro League are also keen on securing the 28-year-old’s signature this summer, with the riches of the league potentially a deciding factor.
Although Hutton doesn’t believe the Villans will be able to compete with the financial power of Saudi Arabia, he thinks the Spanish international will be keen to play in the Champions League and under Unai Emery when he leaves Atletico.
“The problem is wages and the money side,” Hutton told Villa News.
“I’ve seen that he is not going to sign a new contract but it depends on what the offer is from over there. If you’re talking about football terms, here is a club that is going to be in the Champions League under a manager that he will know.
“Villa are building for the future and Hermoso is a guy who has played under Diego Simeone for a long period of time.
“He’s won trophies there, he knows how to defend you expect Clement Lenglet to go back so he would slip into that position.
“But I do also think he will have a fight on his hands and that’s what you need. You need competition for places, Tyrone Mings will be back, Pau Torres is going to be there, and there will be a lot of competition.
“If he’s up for the fight, which I’m pretty sure he will be, I think it’s something he would seriously consider because Villa pay well as well.”
Will Aston Villa and Unai Emery sign Atletico Madrid star Mario Hermoso in the summer transfer window?
As Hutton suggests, Emery is already blessed with plenty of capable options at centre-back, but with Lenglet and Calum Chambers both expected to leave Villa Park this summer, new additions will be required.
Hermoso has played at the highest level and as the Villans embark on a Champions League campaign, having that experience in the changing room could prove to be invaluable, especially given the young age of the squad.
If Villa are able to tempt the 28-year-old away from the riches of the Saudi Pro League, they will have managed to pull off a transfer masterstroke. The entirety of this deal will depend on what Hermoso values the most.
In other Aston Villa news, Gary Neville has slammed Diego Carlos for a “shocker” of an incident in the draw with Liverpool
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