---
title: "Aston Villa in ‘constant contact’ to sign World Cup defender"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/06/aston-villa-in-constant-contact-to-sign-world-cup-defender/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2026-08-06T10:15:00Z"
modified: "2026-08-06T10:15:00Z"
---

# Aston Villa in ‘constant contact’ to sign World Cup defender

**Aston Villa are reportedly in repeated contact over a move for Roger Ibañez as Unai Emery looks to strengthen his defence before the new season.**

The Al-Ahli centre-back has emerged as a fresh target while Villa continue reshaping a squad that will compete in the Champions League again in 2026/27.

According to [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/aston-villa-in-repeated-contact-for-roger-ibanez/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), Villa have been in **constant contact** regarding Ibañez, with the Brazil international also said to have paused talks over a new contract in Saudi Arabia.

The 27-year-old has Premier League interest and would give Emery another experienced option at centre-back.

> 🚨 Things are set to move at Al-Ahli SC!\
> \
> 🇧🇷 Brazilian defender Roger Ibañez has halted contract extension talks with Al-Ahli after attracting interest from several Premier League clubs.\
> \
> 🟣🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Aston Villa FC have made repeated contact with the Brazilian’s representatives, but no… [pic.twitter.com/775hpFkA34](https://t.co/775hpFkA34)
>
> — Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) [August 5, 2026](https://x.com/sachatavolieri/status/2084975552713109914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Aston Villa move for Roger Ibañez could strengthen Emery’s defence

Ibañez joined Al-Ahli from Roma in 2023 and has since established himself as a regular in Saudi Arabia.

He was also part of Brazil’s squad at this summer’s World Cup, adding another layer of top-level experience to a player who previously made more than 100 appearances for Roma.

Villa’s interest comes at an important point in their defensive rebuild.

Matteo Ruggeri is already closing in on a move to Villa Park to strengthen the left side, while uncertainty remains around Ezri Konsa after Arsenal’s interest this summer.

Rather than assuming Ibañez is being lined up as a direct Konsa replacement, the more immediate attraction is squad depth.

Villa will again have to manage Premier League and Champions League football, while Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings and Konsa all carried significant workloads last season. Emery has regularly valued defenders capable of coping with aggressive one-against-one situations and playing through pressure.

Ibañez fits that profile. He is quick across the ground, comfortable defending large spaces and has experience operating in possession-heavy sides.

The next question is whether Villa turn their contact into a formal proposal.

[Football Insider also reports](https://www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa/aston-villa-make-contact-over-deal-to-sign-brazil-world-cup-star-journalist) that Villa are plotting an offer after Ibañez stopped extension talks with Al-Ahli.

There is no indication yet that a fee has been agreed.

However, repeated contact suggests Ibañez is more than a name simply sitting on Villa’s wider shortlist. If negotiations progress, he could become another significant piece of Emery’s defensive rebuild.