Aston Villa transfer priority detail amid £20m Bryan Cristante development
Dan Bardell doesn’t see Aston Villa signing Bryan Cristante from Roma with the midfield options Unai Emery already has.
Italian journalist Ilario Di Giovambattista reported on 4 August via X that the Villans had tabled a £20million bid for the Italy international.
Villa’s President of Football Operations, Monchi signed the 29-year-old for Roma in 2018 and could now look to reignite with him in the Premier League.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell has suggested that strengthening other positions should be prioritised before moving to sign Cristante.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “I’m not sure Villa will be in the market for another central midfielder.
“If you look at how Douglas Luiz has already been replaced by a few new players. So, I’m not sure additions in that area should be a priority.
“I’d be very surprised if Villa prioritised signing someone like Cristante at this moment in time.
“Onana and Barkley have come in, there’s already Tielemans, McGinn, Kamara and even Barrenechea as well so the midfield is the last area Villa need to strengthen.
“I would be very surprised if that move went through before any other signings.“
Aston Villa do not need Bryan Cristante
Although losing Luiz to Juventus earlier in the window, there was some worry amongst supporters about how it would be dealt with.
The signings of Barkley and Barrenechea went some way to easing those concerns but neither possesses the qualities of the Brazil international.
The addition of Onana has certainly given Villa fans reason to be positive due to his performances so far in preseason.
With that being said, the addition of Cristante is now no longer needed especially in a deal worth up to £20m which seems excessive.
The 29-year-old would bring plenty of experience of European experience to the Villa squad which could be useful.
Having worked with Monchi may help a deal go through but there is no real need for the Italian at Villa Park ahead of the season opener.
In other Aston Villa news, Leander Dendoncker has absolute shocker in friendly defeat against Club America as exit speculation swirls.
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