Aston Villa swap proposed as Monchi ready for new transfer already
Diego Carlos could be used in exchange by Aston Villa as they look to sign Sevilla defender Loic Bade, according to VamosMiSevilla.
The Spanish outlet reported on 14 January that with Bade under contract until 2029 and having a £50.6million release clause at Sevilla, Villa’s director of football Monchi is trying to negotiate the transfer.
With Sevilla demanding a fee between £21m and £25m for the Frenchman, Carlos’ name has been raised as a player who could head the other way – and back to his former club – to bring down the asking price.
Sevilla, who have also received offers for Bade from Liverpool and Newcastle United, see Carlos as an affordable option to replace the 24-year-old if they do sanction his exit to Villa Park before 3 February.
Diego Carlos Sevilla swap suits all parties at Aston Villa
It’s fair to say that Carlos hasn’t really hit the heights expected of him in claret and blue since signing from Sevilla for around £26million back in 2022, with a winter window exit looking increasingly likely.
The Brazilian and Unai Emery clearly aren’t seeing eye-to-eye at the moment either, as was made clear by his social media activity, but there’s no chance the hierarchy won’t back Emery’s judgement.
If Emery wants to sign Bade – who is seven years younger than Carlos – as an upgrade on the 31-year-old, it’s likely the board will do all in their power to sanction the transfer and potential swap deal.
Monchi cut his teeth as one of football’s best backroom operators across almost two decades at Sevilla, and as a result he’ll surely be able to carve out a deal which suits both club and player going forward.
Donyell Malen’s arrival adds further attacking firepower to Emery’s frontline, and if Monchi can pull off a deal to sign Bade and send Carlos the other way, few Villa fans will see that as a downgrade.
In other Aston Villa news, the Lions are still weighing up whether to loan or permanently sell one of their highly-rated young stars.
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