---
title: "Aston Villa agree £20m+ Matteo Ruggeri deal as final hurdle remains"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/05/aston-villa-agree-20m-matteo-ruggeri-deal-as-final-hurdle-remains/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2026-08-05T15:00:00Z"
modified: "2026-08-05T15:00:00Z"
---

# Aston Villa agree £20m+ Matteo Ruggeri deal as final hurdle remains

**Aston Villa have reportedly agreed a deal worth more than £20million with Atletico Madrid for Matteo Ruggeri, leaving the Italian defender’s approval as the final major hurdle.**

Villa moved quickly for the 24-year-old after identifying him as a leading option to strengthen Unai Emery’s left-back options.

According to Marca, via GiveMeSport, the clubs have now agreed an initial **€18million (£15.4m)** fee with another **€6m (£5.1m)** available through add-ons. That takes the potential package beyond £20m.

Ruggeri has yet to formally accept the move, although the report says he is leaning towards joining Villa despite interest elsewhere.

> 💣🚨 MAJOR BREAKING: Atlético Madrid have reached an agreement with Aston Villa for Matteo Ruggeri for €18m plus €6m in bonuses.\
> \
> The player will NOT travel with the team for their preseason in South Korea.[@marca](https://x.com/marca?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/09OR0U2HP3](https://t.co/09OR0U2HP3)
>
> — Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) [August 5, 2026](https://x.com/atletiuniverse/status/2084980164153553182?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Matteo Ruggeri decision now holds key to Aston Villa move

The latest development represents significant progress in only 24 hours.

[ReadAstonVilla reported on Tuesday that Villa wanted to move immediately for Ruggeri](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/04/coming-hours-aston-villa-make-move-to-sign-24m-defender/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) after Matteo Moretto and Marca revealed that Emery’s side had presented their proposal to the defender.

At that stage, his decision was considered the main obstacle. Atletico were already open to a sale and reports subsequently indicated they had accepted Villa’s offer in club-to-club talks.

Ruggeri is now understood to be considering Villa alongside interest from Italy. His representatives have also held discussions with Atletico as uncertainty around his future increased.

The Italy international joined Atletico from Atalanta last summer and recorded seven assists across 47 appearances during his first season in Spain.

Villa have been searching for another left-back as Lucas Digne closes in on a move to Paris Saint-Germain. Ruggeri would arrive to compete with Ian Maatsen and offers experience operating as both a conventional full-back and wing-back.

Nothing can be announced until Ruggeri gives Villa the green light and completes the remaining formalities.

However, with an agreement now reportedly in place between the clubs, Emery is one significant step closer to adding another defender to his rebuilt squad.