It appears that Aston Villa is well aware of the growing talent in European football in Italy.
It remains to be seen, though, if Lamare Bogade’s unexpected climb to fame persuades the Premier League’s elite teams to go elsewhere when the transfer window reopens in 2025.
Despite leaving the game at halftime of Tuesday’s 3-0 Champions League victory away at BSC Young Boys, Bogarde has made a significant impact since Unai Emery moved him up to the starting lineup.
So much so that, following his recovery from a hamstring injury, Matty Cash, Aston Villa’s regular first-choice right-back, would have a struggle to regain his spot.
But is Bogarde really Villa’s future right-back? Or only a promising placeholder till the Midland giants can bring in a successor?
Brentford and Aston Villa admire Fiorentina’s ace Michael Kayode
The 1982 European Champions had begun negotiations with Fiorentina regarding a possible move for Italy Under 21 international Michael Kayode, according to HITC’s June report.
Villa apparently had a £12 million offer rejected too, citing Alfredo Pedulla, with the Serie A outfit holding out for £25 million.
The director of Fiorentina, Daniele Prade, stated earlier this week that Kayode’s intended transfer to English football was thwarted by Viola president Rocco Commisso.
And although Prade refrained from naming the clubs that had shown interest, Kayode’s agent was less enigmatic when speaking with Radio Firenze Viola.
“Yes, everyone was aware that Brentford and Aston Villa had made their move,” says VigoGlobalSport’s head of scouting Andrea Ritorni. When a boy shows interest from a large league such as the English one, that’s good.
“(Prade) was honest. He is seen by (Fiorentina) as a crucial component for the future.
HITC is aware that Tottenham Hotspur has also been interested in Kayode lately.
Full-backs with technical skill and tactical versatility are preferred by Ange Postecoglou. And thanks to his remarkable athleticism and his capacity to hold down the flank or drift infield and generate overloads in the midfield, Kayode checks both boxes.
Spurs are huge admirers of the Italy Under 21 player.
Meanwhile, Prade cites the predicaments of Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior as evidence for why Kayode would be better off staying away from Villa Park for the time being.
Barrenechea and Iling-Junior came from Juventus as part of the trade that sent Douglas Luiz to Turin.
However, Villa chose to loan the Argentine midfielder to Valencia and the former to Bologna rather than give them both a first-team spot in Emery’s squad.
“He has had offers, but he is unaware of them. More than one, Prade said of Kayode to Tuttomercatoweb.
“To be honest with you, I considered selling him. However, the president would never have agreed to it, and I lacked the bravery to even ask him.
The Viola manager continues, “I don’t think he was ready for such a big step now. He’s an exceptional guy with significant margins (for improvement).” It was recently confirmed that Everton defeated Fiorentina for the loan of Lyon’s Orel Mangala.
“Observe Iling Junior and Barrenechea; they spent 40 days in the Premier League before moving on.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE
