Aston Villa are in contact over a potential move for Fikayo Tomori after AC Milan made the England defender available for around £12.5million.
The 28-year-old has emerged as a significantly cheaper alternative to Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Joel Ordóñez as Unai Emery attempts to replace Ezri Konsa.
Pianeta Milan reports that Villa are leading the pursuit of Tomori, who has indicated he would welcome a move to Birmingham and the opportunity to return to the Champions League.
The Italian publication says discussions involving the player’s representatives are continuing, although no formal bid or agreement has been confirmed.
Aston Villa explore £12.5m Fikayo Tomori transfer
Milan are prepared to sell Tomori for between €10million and €15million, with the upper end of that valuation equating to approximately £12.5million.
The former Chelsea defender has entered the final year of his contract and is no longer considered part of Ruben Amorim’s plans.
Milan confirmed when Tomori signed his existing agreement that it runs until June 2027, leaving the Italian club under pressure to secure a fee before his value falls further.
Coventry City, Fulham and Newcastle United have also been mentioned as potential destinations, but Villa’s Champions League involvement appears to give Emery’s side an advantage.
Read Aston Villa previously identified Tomori as a particularly suitable Konsa replacement because of his mobility, experience and ability to defend across a high line.
Tomori offers cheaper alternative to Harwood-Bellis and Ordóñez
The potential fee makes Tomori considerably more accessible than Villa’s other defensive targets.
Southampton remain reluctant to sell Taylor Harwood-Bellis after rejecting a £20million proposal, with their valuation understood to be closer to £30million.
Club Brugge are also proving difficult negotiators over Ordóñez. TEAMtalk reports that the Belgian club could demand up to £43million, despite Villa making progress on personal terms.
Tomori would therefore cost less than half Southampton’s asking price for Harwood-Bellis and substantially less than Brugge’s valuation of Ordóñez.
That financial difference could become important following Sunday’s 4-0 defeat at Brighton, which exposed the defensive problems created by Konsa’s £55million departure to Arsenal.
Villa have not yet settled on their preferred signing, but Tomori’s availability, willingness to move and comparatively modest price make him an increasingly credible option.
