Credit: Imago

Aston Villa transfer: Diego Carlos exit ‘advanced’ – L’Equipe journalist

Thu 9 January 2025 16:30, UK

Diego Carlos is the most “advanced” lead at Fenerbahce as they look to sign the Aston Villa defender, according to Loic Tanzi.

The L’Equipe journalist posted on X (9 January) that despite the Turkish giants – managed by Jose Mourinho – having interest in Kevin Danso from Lens, Carlos’ transfer is the one closer to completion.

Fenerbahce are hunting centre-back options this month and had asked Villa for information on the Brazilian [Ertan Suzgun, 3 January], setting the wheels in motion for Carlos to depart during his third season in claret and blue.

Tanzi said: “For now, the most advanced lead at Fenerbahce is not Danso, but Diego Carlos [of] Aston Villa.”

Diego Carlos transfer could leave Aston Villa with work to do

For all that Carlos has been maligned for some of his displays at Villa Park both this season and last, Unai Emery’s squad competing across multiple fronts makes squad depth more important than ever.

Ezri Konsa has often been the man to move around in defence, seemingly playing at right-back as often as he does in the middle due to Matty Cash’s injury problems and Kosta Nedeljkovic’s inexperience.

Carlos has often been the beneficiary of these changes, coming in to start eight and appear in 10 of Villa’s Premier League fixturess this term, but he remains the third-choice when they’re at full strength.