Estupiñán tops Aston Villa's left-back list

Another file has been added to Aston Villa's busy transfer agenda. According to the report, Milan's Ecuadorian left-back Pervis Estupiñán is high on the three-man shortlist the Birmingham club have drawn up for the left-back position; talks are ongoing and the file is active.

Villa made contact with Milan to ask about the player's conditions, price and physical state. Although no formal offer has yet been submitted, the English club are viewed as the frontrunners in the race; from Spain, newly promoted Deportivo La Coruña are also reported to have entered the picture.

At the heart of the transfer lies a familiar bond. Head coach Unai Emery personally brought the Ecuadorian left-back from Watford to Villarreal in 2020 and played a significant part in his development in Spain. Rising enough to catch Brighton's eye in that period, Estupiñán spent three seasons in the Premier League and was regarded as one of the division's most dangerous full-backs. Emery's aim is to restore his former pupil to the form of those days.

The 28-year-old's Milan adventure, meanwhile, passed in disappointment. Arriving from Brighton last summer for €17 million plus €2 million in add-ons, Estupiñán lost his place to youngster Davide Bartesaghi and finished the season with 22 appearances, one goal and one assist; his only goal was the derby winner against Inter. With the player not in new head coach Ruben Amorim's plans despite a contract until 2030, Milan are open to a sale; price expectations ranging between €14 million and €20 million are being mentioned in the press. In a file that forms part of hectic days at Villa — with Tielemans closing in on Manchester United and the Manzambi push accelerating — it is stated that either Ian Maatsen or Lucas Digne could depart should Estupiñán arrive.

Source: Matteo Moretto
Image: Yahoo Sports