Aston Villa are ‘intensely’ interested in signing SCO Angers midfielder Baptiste Santamaria, according to reports in France.
Get French Football News cite journalist Manu Lonjon’s claim that Santamaria is a target for Dean Smith, who is looking to add strength and depth to his squad ahead of Villa’s return to the Premier League.
Twitter: Aston Villa chaud sur Baptiste Santamaria ( Angers) . (@ManuLonjon)
The club have already signed Jota and Wesley Moraes from Birmingham and Club Brugge respectively, while the loan deals of Kortney Hause and Anwar El-Ghazi have been made permanent.
It now seems that the 24-year-old Angers man could be added to the list of summer signings, although a formal bid has not yet been launched by the Claret and Blues.
Santamaria, a defensive midfielder who can also play centrally or on the right wing, was an ever-present in Ligue 1 last season, impressing with some consistent displays.
In total, the Frenchman has played 116 times for Angers since making the move from Tours FC in 2016, for whom he made 96 appearances in the French second division.
It is thought Santamaria would cost around £7 million, while West Ham have also been linked with a move in recent days.
