Aston Villa have started the summer transfer window rapidly, with another target now identified.
The focus of Unai Emery and Monchi is currently on orchestrating possible departures at Villa Park, as Villa bid to aid their PSR concerns before June 30th.
Douglas Luiz and Omari Kellyman are poised to join Tim Iroegbunam in leaving the club, while Lewis Dobbin represents Villa’s first signing of the summer.
Now, another possible target has come to light, as Emery eyes reinforcements ahead of what is set to be a thrilling 2024/25 campaign for the Villans.
Aston Villa make contact with Fiorentina over transfer target Michael Kayode
With Ian Maatsen reported to be in the pipeline to arrive at Villa, it seems that Monchi is now on the prowl for another new defender.
On Monday, journalist Alfredo Pedulla reported that Villa have submitted a ‘first offer’ for Fiorentina right-back Michael Kayode.
It’s claimed that the bid was in the region of €15m (£13m), with no further update provided on the Serie A club’s reaction to the swoop.
The 19-year-old full-back made a senior breakthrough in 2023/24 for Fiorentina, securing 37 apperances in all competitions, with his potential now noticed by those at Villa Park.
Kayode could be the ideal Matty Cash replacement
Interest in Kayode comes at an interesting time, with Matty Cash’s future in question as AC Milan have the Villa man on their list.
As well as the prospect of a possible departure, Emery will be eager to replenish his options at right-back, with Cash standing alone as Villa’s senior right-sided defender.
That being said, last season, Emery preferred to see Ezri Konsa in such role due to the added defensive protection the centre-back offers, with a replacement for Cash required regardless of where he leaves Villa Park.
Kayode could be the perfect player to replace the Poland international, given his dazzling rise to stardom in Serie A over last season.
During 2023/24, scout Antonio Mango lauded the Villa target as a ‘warrior’, commending his strength at playing progressively at right-wing-back.
As demonstrated above, Kayode and Cash are similar in their approach to play at right-back, based on their numbers in their respective leagues in 2023/24.
However, one element of the teenager’s game stands out in comparison to the Villa man, as his percentage of dribblers tackled was significantly higher than the 26-year-old’s.
Given that Emery was quick to drop Cash to the bench as he opted for added defensive stability, capturing Kayode could hand the manager the strength he requires on the right side of defence.
It will be interesting to see how Fiorentina react to Villa’s approach, with the Serie A starlet highly rated for his breakthrough last term.
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