Aston Villa look set to launch a bid for the signature of Roger Ibanez.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Aston Villa are preparing to make a move to sign Roger Ibanez from Roma. The Italian club need to sell in order to raise funds this summer, and the Premier League outfit look set to capitalise on this situation.
The centre-back would offer real solidity and strength in depth to Unai Emery’s back line. Ibanez is a mainstay of Jose Mourinho’s defence and started in the Europa League final against Sevilla. The Brazilian defender has formed a reliable unit alongside Italian Gianluca Mancini and former Manchester United man Chris Smalling.
With a Europa Conference League campaign to prepare for, another quality defender like Ibanez would be very welcome at Villa Park.
Who is Roger Ibanez?
The 6’1” centre-back first garnered attention whilst playing in his homeland for Fluminense. A move to Atalanta in Serie A followed, however this was a short-lived stint. Following a loan move to capital, Roma made Ibanez’s stay permanent in 2021. The twice-capped Brazil international has made excellent progress since then.
Aston Villa need to raise the overall quality of their squad if they want to build on the progress they made last year. Ibanez would represent an improvement on the likes of Calum Chambers and Ezri Konsa.
Even though the Villans are exploring other options in this part of the pitch, if this mooted bid does come to fruition then it could prove to be shrewd business for the Midlands side with a European competition to contend with.
