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.

According to The Telegraph, Aston Villa are ‘working on’ a deal to bring in Acuna from Monchi’s old employers Sevilla.

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 32^nd 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.”