Aston Villa continue to consider their options with the transfer deadline fast approaching and Bologna midfielder Amadou Diawara could be back on their radar.
It’s been a busy summer thus far for Roberto Di Matteo, with the Italian tactician bringing in five new faces already as the club attempt to secure promotion back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Pierluigi Gollini, Tommy Elphick, James Chester, Aaron Tshibola and Ross McCormack would undoubtedly have given the squad a lift, but ultimately results thus far haven’t proven it following defeats to Sheffield Wednesday and Luton Town, the latter in the EFL Cup.
However, it doesn’t look as though the work in the transfer market is done for Villa, with Di Matteo now prioritising his midfield as he looks to add some steel and presence in the middle of the pitch.
As noted by Sky Sport Italia expert Gianluca Di Marzio, it is suggested that neither Roma nor Napoli are likely to make their move for Diawara, which in turn leaves the possibility of a move to Villa as the most likely end result.
It was reported last week that the Championship outfit had agreed a €17m transfer fee with the Serie A club, but the player wasn’t keen on a move and in turn the transfer fell apart.
However, if the latest developments are true, then should Diawara still wish to leave Bologna, particularly after failing to report for pre-season training with the club this summer, then the 19-year-old may well be well advised to discuss the switch to Villa Park.
The teenager was one of the stand-out young talents in Serie A last season, and his arrival at Villa would certainly be another major boost for Di Matteo, albeit an expensive one that follows on from big fees being paid for McCormack and Chester already.