Aston Villa made an approach for Lens defender Matthieu Udol during the summer transfer window, but the French club refused to consider selling the 30-year-old.
Villa were not alone in attempting to prise Udol away from Lens.
AC Milan and Sunderland also made approaches for the left-sided defender, according to Foot Mercato editor-in-chief Sébastien Denis, but Lens made their position clear and blocked any potential departure.
Denis reports that Udol himself did not push for an exit and is now focused on the new season with Lens.
Aston Villa approached Matthieu Udol
Udol had emerged as one of Lens’ most important players following his move from Metz in 2025.
The defender produced three goals and 10 assists across 40 appearances in all competitions last season, performances which attracted attention from several clubs across Europe.
Sébastien Denis revealed that Aston Villa, AC Milan and Sunderland all approached Lens, but the Ligue 1 club had no interest in opening negotiations.
Lens’ stance prevented the situation from progressing further.
The report provides another indication of how extensively Villa explored the market while rebuilding Unai Emery’s squad.
Left-back was one of the areas addressed during the summer, with Villa eventually bringing in Matteo Ruggeri from Atlético Madrid as part of a window which transformed almost every department of the team.
Our complete Aston Villa summer transfer tracker details all of the arrivals and departures from one of the busiest windows in the club’s recent history.
Why Matthieu Udol attracted Aston Villa interest
Udol offers considerably more attacking output than a conventional defensive full-back.
His 10 assists last season underline his ability to provide width and create from the left, while his versatility allows him to operate as either a full-back or wing-back.
That profile would have offered Emery another option as Villa reshaped their left side.
However, Lens viewed the Frenchman as too important to lose.
Udol remains under contract until 2028 and, according to Denis, is fully focused on competing in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
Villa ultimately went in a different direction.
But the rejected approach adds Udol’s name to the growing list of players considered during an extraordinary summer rebuild.
