- Aston Villa are targeting at least one if not two wingers in the upcoming transfer window
- Villa has added Como’s Martin Baturina to their growing list of options.
- Any fee will likely exceed the maximum amount Villa is prepared to spend
Aston Villa are actively seeking a new dynamic winger to add to their attack ahead of the new season, with Unai Emery prioritising a pacy wideman who makes frequent runs beyond opposition defences. Como’s Martin Baturina has been added to their list of targets.
Following a sensational campaign that yielded a top-four finish and Europa League glory, Aston Villa’s management are determined to arm Emery with the depth required to sustain elite-level performance.
A pacy winger has emerged as the clear priority in this summer transfer window, given the lack of quality options the Villans currently possess.
Villa’s scouting department is casting a wide net across Europe’s top leagues, monitoring several pacy wingers who can seamlessly fit into Emery’s fluid tactical blueprint. Meanwhile, other names on the list include, Ibrahim Mbaye, Jonathan Rowe, and Karim Adeyemi.
Baturina emerges on Villa’s radar
Among the growing list of potential targets, Como’s breakout star Martin Baturina has surfaced as a primary point of interest. According to transfer journalist Nicolò Schira on X, Villa have formally registered their interest in the highly-rated Croatian attacking midfielder and winger.
The 23-year-old international has been a revelation in Serie A under Cesc Fàbregas, showcasing exceptional ball-carrying capabilities, positional flexibility, and tactical maturity.
In addition, reports from Italy, relayed alongside Schira’s updates, suggest that Villa’s ambition is substantial, with the club linked to a massive proposal in the region of €50-55 million (£43.2-47.5 million) to secure his services.
However, those claims seem far-fetched, given Villa’s continued financial restraints from UEFA’s Squad Cost Rules (SCR) and Football Earnings Rules. Jacob Tanswell from The Athletic has specifically made it clear that Villa will likely not spend huge sums on one player, with their maximum stretching to £40 million.
Como holding firm
A deal for the Croatian maestro remains highly complicated. Schira reports that Como currently consider Baturina “non-transferable”. The Italian club is desperate to retain their prized asset, viewing him as a future global star.
Furthermore, other reports indicate that the Italian side will resist initial advances, holding out for a fee closer to €80 million (£69.1 million) before even considering opening negotiations. This stubborn stance makes it highly probable that the two clubs won’t reach an agreement.
ReadAstonVilla interest
Ultimately, a deal bringing Baturina to Villa Park appears extremely doubtful. Villa’s tight budget, enforced by financial rules, cannot stretch to meet Como’s massive €80 million valuation.
Spending such a substantial sum on a single player would severely compromise the club’s ability to invest in other areas.
Instead, they will likely pivot to much cheaper, more viable alternatives like Jonathan Rowe or Karim Adeyemi. These options allow Villa to successfully deliver Emery his required injection of pace without taking a huge chunk out of their budget, making a move for the expensive Croatian star a luxury the club simply cannot afford.
