Aston Villa want to sign a defender from Mainz in January.

Aston Villa transfer news: Approach made to sign Bundesliga defender

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

Published on:

15 Jan 2025, 11:41 am

Mainz have been asked for information on Anthony Caci by Aston Villa and five other European clubs, according to Foot Mercato.

The French outlet reported on 14 January that Villa, Fulham, Valencia, Borussia Dortmund, Benfica and Sporting CP have all enquired about the 27-year-old's availability, with Caci under contract until 2027.

Caci, who can operate on either side of defence, has become Mainz's first-choice at right-back this term and the side currently sat fifth in the Bundesliga are likely to demand a fee well above £6million for him.

Aston Villa to patch defensive problems with Anthony Caci transfer

Amid an historic season for the club both on and off the pitch as they return to the top tier of European football for the first time in 41 years, chopping and changing in defence has been Villa's undoing so far.

Matty Cash's persistent injury issues and Kosta Nedeljkovic's inexperience has often seen Unai Emery pick Ezri Konsa at right-back, breaking up his tried and tested centre-half combination with Pau Torres.

Unai Emery could make use of Anthony Caci's versatility in the backline at Aston Villa [Credit: Imago]

Diego Carlos' performances as the first-choice stand-in at right centre-back have been less than impressive, however, and it's clear Emery needs another option on the right-hand side going forward.

Despite PSR concerns heading into the winter transfer window, Villa already completing a deal for Donyell Malen suggests that Emery will be able to strengthen in the necessary positions.

Plucking Caci from Mainz could be a perfect upgrade on Cash and Nedeljkovic at right-back, with Villa the only club in the chasing pack able to offer both Premier League and Champions League football.

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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