Fabio Paratici in last-gasp attempt to sign Aston Villa defender
Aston Villa look set to be busy in the transfer market on deadline day.
So far in the winter transfer window, Unai Emery’s team have completed some eye-catching deals.
Tammy Abraham has re-joined Aston Villa from Besiktas in a £18million deal, seven years on from his loan stint at Villa Park.
Douglas Luiz has also returned to Villa on loan from Juventus, while forwards Donyell Malan and Evann Guessand have joined Roma and Crystal Palace, respectively, for the rest of the season.
Now, it seems like one of their summer deals could be changed if a Serie A team get their way in the coming hours.
Fiorentina target Aston Villa loanee on deadline day
Last summer, Villa defender Kosta Nedeljkovic joined Bundesliga side RB Leipzig on a season-long loan deal.
This came after the 20-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at the German outfit, where he made 11 appearances.
And in light of him playing just six times for Leipzig this term, Tottenham’s former director of football, Fabio Paratici, is said to be keen on bringing him to Fiorentina.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Fiorentina want to bring in a new full-back before the winter transfer window shuts and have set their sights on Nedeljkovic.
It is unclear if they want to sign him on loan or on a permanent deal. But any arrangement would require an agreement between Leipzig and Villa.
Going by this report, it seems Paratici – who was banned for 30 months from football between 2023-2025 after being convicted of financial malpractice following an Italian football investigation – is keen on Premier League moves again.
This comes after Fiorentina, who are at risk of being relegated from Serie A, signed Leeds United winger Jack Harrison last month on loan.
- Read more: Aston Villa take West Brom by surprise as last-gasp transfer decision made hours before deadline
Will Aston Villa’s injury issues prompt more deadline day deals?
Villa started the season in wretched fashion but within a matter of months, they ascended to the position of Premier League title contenders.
But in recent weeks, they have found it harder going, particularly on Sunday when they lost 1-0 at home to Brentford.
Emery’s side were without striker Ollie Watkins, midfielders Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara, captain John McGinn and full-back Andres Garcia due to injury.
But if they are to continue their bid to win the Premier League, Europa League, and FA Cup, they, arguably, need more quality and strength in depth.
Kamara is likely to be out for the rest of the season, and it may be a while before his injured teammates are back fit, too.
Villa have been linked with Fulham’s Harry Wilson but it seems unlikely that the Cottagers would green light such a move amid his superb run of form.
As the season progresses, Emery will be eager to qualify for next season’s Champions League, after missing out last term, while trying to claim some silverware.
Whether that happens is a different story.
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