Aston Villa are closing in on an agreement to sign Atlético Madrid left-back Matteo Ruggeri as Unai Emery continues to reshape his defence before the new season.
Villa and Atlético have broadly agreed a package worth €18million plus a further €6million in add-ons, with negotiations now focused on completing the remaining details with the player.
The 24-year-old was left out of Atlético’s pre-season trip to South Korea while talks continued over a move to Villa Park. Jacob Tanswell reports that Villa are now closing in on a full agreement for the Italy international.
Matteo Ruggeri Aston Villa move advances
Ruggeri has emerged as Villa’s preferred option after their pursuit of AC Milan defender Pervis Estupiñán stalled earlier in the summer.
ReadAstonVilla previously reported that Milan had delayed a decision over Estupiñán, with new head coach Ruben Amorim wanting to assess the Ecuador international before sanctioning a departure.
Villa have since moved quickly for Ruggeri and appear much closer to completing that deal.
The Italian joined Atlético from Atalanta last summer and made 47 appearances during his first season in Spain, providing seven assists. He is primarily a left-back or wing-back but has also played on the left of a back three, giving Emery another flexible defensive option.
Atlético describe Ruggeri as a player with strong crossing ability and stamina, while the defender himself said after joining the Spanish club that he was comfortable playing in either a back four or back five.
His potential arrival would continue Villa’s overhaul at left-back.
Lucas Digne is expected to leave for Paris Saint-Germain, while ReadAstonVilla reported that Ian Maatsen is viewed as Emery’s long-term first choice.
Ruggeri would therefore arrive to provide genuine competition rather than automatically replace Maatsen in the starting XI.
Villa still need to finalise personal terms before the deal can be considered complete, but an agreement between the clubs has already taken much of the uncertainty out of the negotiations.
After seeing their move for Estupiñán slow down, Villa now appear close to securing their alternative.
