If there’s one position Steven Gerrard doesn’t need to strengthen, it’s in defence. The Aston Villa manager already has Diego Carlos, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Calum Chambers and Kortney Hause at his disposal, so it wouldn’t make a lot of sense having a sixth centre-back going into next season.
Reports from Italy in June suggested Romagnoli was on their radar, however, and Pete O’Rourke believes the 27-year-old would be a good signing. Romagnoli is a free agent after leaving AC Milan at the end of his contract, seven years after his £22m move to the San Siro.
The Italian international made 26 appearances across the board in his final season in Milan, helped the Rossoneri win the Serie A title, so he’d bring a lot of pedigree to the Villa squad. O’Rourke seems to think Romagnoli would be open to switch too.
He told Give Me Sport: “I think Aston Villa are an attractive option to play for right now. You’ve seen the success they’ve had in luring Philippe Coutinho to the Premier League, obviously, they are among the biggest spenders now in the Premier League as well.
“The owners are backing Steven Gerrard in the transfer market with finances. Diego Carlos was also a big signing from Sevilla, so I think Aston Villa right now are an ambitious club seemingly going places. So, I’m sure that will be attractive to a lot of players, including Romagnoli.”
But do Villa really need him? If Romagnoli wasn’t available on a free transfer, he may not have even popped up on the radar. Gerrard has Mings, Konsa and Carlos who are expected to battle it out for a starting place while Chambers and Hause provide cover, so another centre-back would be overkill.
Unless an existing defender is to be sold, it makes little sense to sign one.
In other news, Pete O’Rourke says Aston Villa could sign Joe Aribo
