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ASTON VILLA HOPE TO SIGN WORLD CUP WINNER ALONGSIDE £17M NICOLO ZANIOLO

Aston Villa are ‘working on’ a deal to sign World Cup winner Marcos Acuna from Sevilla as Nicolo Zaniolo closes in on a move to the Premier League outfit. Julen Lopetegui wants to be reunited with Marcos Acuna at Wolves - Football España

There is a very real chance that, if the injury curse had not struck Unai Emery’s side so early in the season, neither Nicolo Zaniolo nor Marcus Acuna would have ever really emerged as serious transfer targets for the Midland giants.Zaniolo, who could join on loan from Galatasaray with a £17 million option-to-buy clause in his contract, only became a genuine option after Emi Buendia was ruled out for months with a serious knee injury.

Acuna, meanwhile, would arrive to offset the loss of another key player; Janaury signing Alex Moreno unavailable for another few weeks. This, coupled with the potential departure of Lucas Digne to Saudi Arabia, means Emery suddenly finds himself in the market for a left-back as well as an attacking midfielder.

Aston Villa eye Nicolo Zaniolo and Marcos Acuna

Acuna impressed as Argentina tasted glory at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. All-action and uber-attacking, Acuna – like former Roma ace Zaniolo – is well-known to Aston Villa’s new President of Football Operations.Ranking Roma's Youth, #1: Nicolo Zaniolo - Chiesa Di Totti

According to The Telegraph, Aston Villa are ‘working on’ a deal to bring in Acuna from Monchi’s old employers Sevilla. Julen Lopetegui wants to be reunited with Marcos Acuna at Wolves - Football España

It remains to be seen, however, if Villa will meet the Andalusian’s demands. Sevilla reportedly want ‘significantly more’ than £13 million. That is a lot for a player who will celebrate his 32nd birthday in the autumn (AS).

Interestingly, Acuna was heavily linked with Aston Villa’s Midland neighbours Wolves in January.

Then-Molineux boss Julen Lopetegui – who, like Monchi and Emery, also worked at Sevilla – even admitted his admiration for the former Sporting Lisbon flyer.

“We are opening up different options,” Lopetegui said at the time. “Because the reality is that we have to reinforce the team in different positions.

“(Acuna) is a player that I like. But we will see what happens.”

 

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