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Transfers
Director confirms Aston Villa interest in his £20m and £25m stars after Unai Emery talks
Despite the La Liga connections Unai Emery and Monchi have brought with them to Aston Villa, there hasn’t been much of a Spanish flavour to the Premier League giants’ recruitment of late.
Aston Villa have not signed a single Spaniard – and not a single player from La Liga – in either of the last two summers. With much of their business taking place in England rather than the Mediterranean, Villa have largely chowed down on pork pies rather than paella.
Yet, with the January window now only a few weeks away, the Midlanders could yet add a little chorizo to their Villa Park melting pot.
TBR can confirm that Aston Villa are big fans of Villarreal playmaker Alex Baena. Emery worked with the mass-producing assist machine during their time together on the Castellon Coast.
Aston Villa watched Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo as the diminutive Japan international inspired a 2-0 win over Ajax in the Europa League on Thursday.
Barcelona benchwarmer Ferran Torres could return to England, meanwhile, with Villa among the clubs keen on the one-time Manchester City youngster.
Now, Osasuna duo Flavien Enzo Boyomo and Aimar Oroz might not create quite so many goosebumps on the arms of Aston Villa supporters.
But, according to Osasuna’s sporting director, Unai Emery is regularly in touch to discuss the development of two rising stars who would potentially set Villa back a combined outlay of £55 million.
Aston Villa interested in Osasuna stars Enzo Boyomo and Aimar Oroz
Boyomo, a France-born Cameroon international with a £20 million release clause in his contract, has impressed hugely during his breakout season in La Liga.
Interestingly, the 23-year-old centre-half spent some time in Blackburn Rovers’ academy before leaving England in 2020.
Aimor Oroz, in contrast, is a little more established. Osasuna’s number ten – perhaps a £30 million alternative to the more expensive Baena on Villa’s transfer wishlist – has already made 80 La Liga appearances despite only celebrating his 23rd birthday last week.
Braulio Vazquez, the sporting director of Osasuna, now admits that Emery is an admirer of both amid reports of Aston Villa’s interest.
“Specifically with that club that has been linked to [Boyomo] – I can tell you that if there was something very firm – I am lucky that I am a good friend of Unai,” Vazquez tells .
“It is true that because of his age, because he is an international with Cameroon, and because he has 10 games in the first division, it is obvious that he attracts attention.
“It is true that because of his position on the field and because of his conditions and age, I think that there are important teams that are following him. But Aston Villa in particular.
“With Unai, I talk about Boyomo, about Aimar. Every two weeks, we talk on the phone. So if there was something [concrete] I would know.”
Aston Villa struggling in eight-match winless run
Clearly, Aston Villa are at the interest stage, rather than anything more advanced.
Though with December arriving and the New Year closing in, the next time Vazquez picks up the phone to Emery the conversation may turn to enquiries and offers.
Aston Villa’s squad has been stretched thin by their European commitments, meanwhile.
Villa are on a run of eight without a win in all competitions. Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at Chelsea leaves Emery’s team 12th in the Premier League even if they remain well placed in the Champions League table.