Aston Villa are already putting plans in place ahead of the summer transfer window opening, as recruitment staff have been watching a “complete” young defender closely, according to a recent report.
Aston Villa eyeing new strikers and centre-backs
Jhon Duran’s surprise move to Saudi Arabia in January has left the Villans short of number nine options for the remainder of this season, with Ollie Watkins their only recognised out-and-out striker. Unai Emery will hope his side can cope between now and the end of the campaign, but signing a player to replace Duran seems to be a top priority for the summer.
Aston Villa hold concrete interest in "world-class" £50m Duran replacement
The Villans have set their sights on a top striker to replace Jhon Duran this summer.
1 ByDominic LundMar 2, 2025
The £65 million pocketed from Duran leaving means Villa will have a lot of money to spend, and one player they could look to sign is FC Porto striker Samu Omorodion Aghehowa, who has been very impressive in Portugal this season, and he would only cost £42 million, leaving the Midlands side with money left to spend.
But he is not their only forward option, as Juventus’s Dusan Vlahovic is a concrete interest to Villa, as he looks set to leave Turin at the end of the season, as contract negotiations look to have stalled. Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui is also another option that is under consideration by Villa, but he may not be a top priority.
Aston Villa staff have been closely watching a £40m Mings successor
But signing a striker is not all that the club are focusing on, as according to journalist Alan Nixon (relayed by Give Me Sport), Aston Villa are in the race to sign defender Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge.
Villa are not alone in their pursuit, as Everton are also keen on signing the 20-year-old, who can play at centre-back as well as right-back. It is reported that Villa have watched Ordonez closely as they have come up against him in the Champions League this season and will do so again in the last 16.
Despite being under contract until 2028, Ordonez, who has been dubbed a “complete” player by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, is allowed to leave the Belgian side for a fee of £40 million. The Toffees are said to be ready to make an offer for the defender, so Villa will have to decide fairly soon if they plan to make an offer.
Ordonez
Mings
Apps
10
2
Starts
10
2
Passes attempted
511
112
Passes completed
461
98
Tackles (Won)
7 (2)
2 (1)
Blocks
13
4
Interceptions
9
1
Clearances
61
4
For Villa, signing Ordonez, who stands at 6 foot 2, could be seen as a long-term replacement for Tyrone Mings, who has recently returned from a long injury layoff. The 31-year-old has played 13 times this season in all competitions, but with his contract expiring in 2026 and his recent injury problems, Villa could be on the lookout for a younger replacement.