(Credit: Imago)

Aston Villa line up 'one of the best Ligue 1 midfielders' in £20m deal

Henry is a Football Writer for Villa News. He finished studying Journalism at Nottingham Trent University in May, where he gained experience working for local news outlets, such as Notts TV and Nottinghamshire Live, as well as being sports editor for the student magazine. He started writing for Breaking Media in 2025.

Published on:

25 May 2025, 9:04 am

Aston Villa are battling Premier League rivals like Nottingham Forest and Brighton for signings this summer.

The Villans will be playing European football next season, which will prove an exciting proposition for any transfer target.

They travel to Old Trafford for their final game of the season against Manchester United on Sunday, with hopes still alive of ensuring Champions League football next season.

Unai Emery has had to sell some key assets in the last 12 months, and their transfer strategy seems to be changing as a result.

Emery has done a tremendous job at Villa Park. (Credit: Imago)

Aston Villa face a battle to sign Habib Diarra

Villa are changing their transfer policy this summer as they look for young and cheap talents.

Emery's side has already been linked with young Norwegian midfielder Sverre Nypan and is now said to be interested in 21-year-old Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra, according to The Sunday Mirror.

The box-to-box midfielder can affect the game at both ends of the pitch, with an eye for a long-range goal and the ability to track back.

Diarra has played 30 Ligue 1 games this season, scoring four and assisting five.

The Mirror describes the Senagalese international as "one of Ligue 1's best midfielders".

Strasbourg look set to command a fee of £20million, with Diarra ready for the Premier League.

Villa will potentially have to sell more key assets this summer to comply with financial fair play rules.

Forward Morgan Rogers has already been linked with a big-money move away from the club this summer.

Rogers is enjoying a standout campaign at Villa. (Credit: Imago)

Aston Villa must adopt new transfer model

Clubs like Brighton and Bournemouth have made strides towards competing for European places by signing unknown European talents.

Villa now looks set to adopt that same philosophy this summer as they balance improving their squad with the need to raise funds.

As reported by Mail Sport, the Villans reportedly must make a big sale before 30 June in order to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability regulations.

Goalkeeper Emi Martinez has been linked with a move away, with the club already targeting Caoimhin Kelleher as a cheap replacement.

Villa's Youri Tielemans has also attracted interest, with the midfielder impressing this season.