Aston Villa have already made moves for Lens centre-back Samson Baidoo — a player being compared to Raphael Varane.
- The 22-year-old has made 19 Ligue 1 appearances this season, scoring twice
- TuttoSport report Villa have already made concrete moves for the defender
- Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus are also monitoring the situation
- Baidoo’s contract at Lens runs until 2030 making any deal financially complex
The Varane comparison: why it matters
The reference point being used to describe Samson Baidoo is not one that appears lightly.
TuttoSport have compared the 22-year-old directly to Raphael Varane, a defender who came through the ranks at Lens before joining Real Madrid and eventually Manchester United.
That parallel speaks to a specific and rare profile: technically accomplished, athletically exceptional, and capable of making the leap from Ligue 1 to the very highest level of European football.
Baidoo has delivered what TuttoSport describe as “brilliant performances” during his debut season in France.
Despite a hamstring injury disrupting his campaign, the young defender has still managed 19 Ligue 1 appearances and two goals; an impressive return for a centre-back in his first senior season at this level.
His ability on the ball has been singled out as his primary strength a quality that aligns directly with what Emery demands from his defensive unit
Villa’s concrete interest. Moves already made
According to TuttoSport, Villa are not simply monitoring Baidoo from a distance, they have already made concrete moves for his signature.
That escalation beyond scouting reflects a recruitment team that has identified a specific profile and is moving decisively before competition intensifies further.
The timing makes complete sense within the context of Villa’s summer planning.
With Boubacar Kamara’s return from injury uncertain, Tyrone Mings approaching the latter stages of his career, and Champions League football demanding genuine defensive depth, adding a young, technically gifted centre-back to the group is an urgent priority.
Baidoo’s profile (young, ball-playing, athletically elite) fits Emery’s developmental model precisely.
The competition: Juventus and Inter Milan hold a key advantage
Villa face significant competition for Baidoo’s signature. Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund are both monitoring the situation closely.
However, it is Juventus who may hold a meaningful structural advantage as their agent relationship with Meissa N’Diaye, who also represents Bianconeri players Jeremie Boga and Khephren Thuram, gives the Italian giants a natural and potentially decisive negotiating edge.
| Baidoo Profile | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 22 |
| Club | Lens |
| Ligue 1 Appearances | 19 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Contract | Until 2030 |
| Comparable To | Raphael Varane |
| Other Suitors | Juventus, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund |
The contract complexity. 2027 the realistic window
Baidoo’s contract at Lens runs until 2030: a timeline that gives the French club enormous and comfortable leverage in any negotiation.
2027 represents a more realistic moment to execute a deal, when the defender will have entered the final three years of his agreement.
For Villa, that means any immediate move would require a significant financial commitment that Champions League revenue would make considerably more manageable.
