Aston Villa’s summer rebuild continues to gather pace as talks advance over Pervis Estupiñán and Nottingham Forest increase the competition for Lucas Bergvall.
Unai Emery is preparing for significant change after Youri Tielemans moved to Manchester United and Lucas Digne edged closer to joining Paris Saint-Germain.
Those departures would remove two experienced members of Villa’s starting side from different areas of the pitch.
Estupiñán has emerged as the leading candidate to provide competition for Ian Maatsen at left-back, while Bergvall is one of several midfielders being considered following Tielemans’ exit.
Villa’s recruitment work is continuing while Emiliano Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins prepare for Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final between Argentina and England.
Estupiñán talks move forward
Villa have held further discussions with AC Milan over Estupiñán.
Fabrizio Romano reports that the Ecuador international is high on Emery’s three-player shortlist and that contact between the clubs is continuing.
Matteo Moretto has also reported that negotiations have formally begun, with Milan seeking approximately €20million for the defender. Villa’s opening position is understood to be below that figure.
Estupiñán has already worked under Emery at Villarreal.
The 28-year-old spent two seasons with the Spanish club before joining Brighton in 2022. He later moved to Milan, but his first campaign in Italy did not establish him as an automatic starter.
Villa’s interest is built around familiarity and squad balance.
Maatsen remains the long-term first choice on the left. Estupiñán would provide experienced competition and allow Emery to rotate during a season involving Premier League and European fixtures.
ReadAstonVilla previously examined how Villa’s interest in Estupiñán fits alongside their commitment to Maatsen.
The move would not be an attempt to replace Maatsen. It would ensure Villa are not left with a major drop in quality when the Netherlands international is rested or unavailable.
Digne’s expected move to PSG has created the vacancy.
The France international has verbally agreed personal terms on a three-year contract, with PSG expected to activate the release clause in his Villa deal. ReadAstonVilla covered the latest position as Digne moved closer to returning to Paris.
Villa would lose an experienced and productive full-back for a relatively modest fee.
Estupiñán’s Premier League experience would reduce the risk involved in replacing him. His pace and willingness to advance would also suit Emery’s preference for full-backs who support attacks without abandoning their defensive responsibilities.
The clubs remain apart on price, but negotiations appear active rather than exploratory.
Forest add pressure to Bergvall pursuit
Villa also face increased competition for Bergvall.
Nottingham Forest have emerged as a leading contender for the Tottenham midfielder as Oliver Glasner looks to replace Elliot Anderson following his £116m move to Manchester City.
Football Insider reports that Forest have already had an offer rejected and remain interested in returning for the 20-year-old.
Villa have monitored Bergvall throughout the summer.
ReadAstonVilla reported earlier this month that Villa and Forest were among the clubs pursuing the Sweden international.
Tielemans’ departure has increased the relevance of that interest.
The Belgian provided control, creativity and leadership in Emery’s midfield. Manchester United triggered the £35m clause in his contract after Villa attempted to negotiate an extension.
ReadAstonVilla assessed the scale of the task facing Emery after Tielemans’ exit left Villa needing more than a direct statistical replacement.
Bergvall would offer a different profile.
He is younger, more mobile and capable of carrying possession through midfield. He can play as a deeper midfielder or move into more advanced areas, although he does not yet possess Tielemans’ experience or established passing influence.
Tottenham have maintained that Bergvall is not for sale. The midfielder is under contract until 2031, leaving the club in a strong position despite reports that he could be open to greater first-team opportunities elsewhere.
Forest’s involvement could drive the price higher.
Villa must decide whether Bergvall is central enough to their plans to enter an expensive bidding contest. They are also considering other midfielders, including Bayern Munich’s João Palhinha.
ReadAstonVilla reported that Palhinha has emerged as another option following Tielemans’ move.
The two players would serve different purposes.
Palhinha offers established defensive presence and Premier League experience. Bergvall would provide long-term upside, ball-carrying and development potential.
Emery may ultimately need more than one midfielder depending on Amadou Onana’s recovery and the futures of other squad members.
Villa quartet prepare for World Cup semi-final
Transfer discussions will temporarily share attention with events in Atlanta.
Martinez will represent Argentina against an England squad containing Konsa, Rogers and Watkins.
Villa are therefore guaranteed to have at least one player in Sunday’s World Cup final.
The club’s official coverage confirmed the unusual semi-final meeting after Argentina progressed, with Martinez preparing to face three players he trains alongside at Bodymoor Heath.
Konsa could have an important role in England’s defence, while Rogers has already contributed during the knockout stages.
Watkins gives Thomas Tuchel another central attacking option if England require a different approach during the match.
Martinez remains one of Argentina’s most influential players and has again demonstrated his ability to perform under tournament pressure.
ReadAstonVilla previewed the meeting in detail as four Villa team-mates prepared to compete for one place in the final.
The international success reflects the quality Emery has assembled.
It also complicates pre-season.
The quartet will not return to full club training immediately after their tournament ends. Each player will need rest following a long domestic campaign and an extended World Cup run.
Villa must therefore begin their early preparation without their first-choice goalkeeper, a leading centre-back and two major attacking players.
The recruitment team cannot allow those absences to slow the wider rebuild.
Emery needs clarity in two key positions
Villa’s summer is developing around two immediate requirements.
The first is completing the left-back transition without weakening Emery’s defensive options.
Maatsen can become the regular starter, but the number of fixtures makes another trusted senior option essential. Estupiñán offers familiarity with Emery’s work and previous success in English football.
The second is rebuilding central midfield after Tielemans.
Bergvall would be an ambitious long-term addition, but Tottenham’s stance and Forest’s interest create difficulties. Villa must remain disciplined rather than allowing outside competition to dictate their spending.
The club have alternatives.
Palhinha would add defensive experience, while other midfield targets may become available as the window develops.
Villa’s ability to move between profiles will be important. Replacing Tielemans does not require finding an identical player, but Emery needs enough passing quality, physical presence and intelligence across the wider midfield group.
The next stage of the window should provide greater clarity.
Estupiñán appears attainable if Villa and Milan can narrow the valuation gap. Bergvall remains more complicated because Tottenham do not want to sell and Forest are actively pursuing him.
Meanwhile, four of Villa’s most important players are one match away from a World Cup final.
The summer rebuild is moving forward, but Emery still has major decisions to make before his squad is ready for the new season.
