Aston Villa are now well-placed to sign a free-agent midfielder who has won the Champions League on two occasions.
Unai Emery and Monchi have acted fast in this transfer window to resolve Aston Villa’s PSR issues and flesh out their squad ready for the Champions League.
While six players have left Villa Park permanently, Emery has counteracted those losses by luring seven new first-team stars to the club, including a return for Jaden Philogene, a £50 million move for Amadou Onana and an impressive deal for Ian Maatsen.
Aside from Maatsen, who reached the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund last term, there is a distinct lack of experience at Europe’s top table within the Villa squad.
But according to reports, that could be about to change as the Villans are eyeing a player who has won the competition on two occasions.
Aston Villa are ‘best positioned’ to sign Champions League-winner Sergi Roberto
According to Catalunya Radio in Spain, Villa are one of the clubs ‘best positioned’ to sign Sergio Roberto along with West Ham and Dutch side Ajax.
While Barcelona boss Deco has called for the midfielder to remain at the Nou Camp, there are no guarantees he’ll be registered as a Barca player in 2024/25.
The “marvellous” Spanish technician has enjoyed a glittering career at the Spanish giants, amassing 373 appearances for the first team after making his debut in 2010.
Roberto’s trophy cabinet is also full to the brim, having scooped two Champions League trophies (2011 & 2015), seven La Liga titles and six Spanish cups, just to name a few of the honours he’s gleaned at Barca.
Now aged 32, the midfielder – who can also operate as a right-back – has seen his game time restricted in recent years, starting just a total of 38 games across the last four campaigns.
While it’s not impossible that Roberto will remain at Barca next term, the current club captain could choose to move to another Champions League side instead.
Sergi Roberto’s Champions League experience would be pivotal at Aston Villa
Roberto became famous for scoring that injury-time winner against PSG in 2017, as Barcelona completed one of the most thrilling comebacks of all time with a 6-1 win sending them into the Champions League quarter-finals.
With Villa returning to Europe’s elite next season, signing a player like Roberto who knows the competition like the back of his hand, could be crucial.
The Spaniard has amassed 62 appearances since making his debut in the famous semi-final victory over Real Madrid in 2011, as Lionel Messi’s iconic solo run sent Barca into the final against Manchester United.
To bring a player of his ilk and experience into the dressing room on a free transfer could be a steal for Emery, as his positional versatility would cover two areas.
Roberto has deputized as a central midfielder and right-back across his career. He’s showcased his ability to control a game centrally and act as a solid presence defensively.
Villa are currently looking for a new right-back to challenge or replace Matty Cash, so the experienced Spaniard would be the perfect signing for the dressing room, as he would offer his wealth of knowledge to a young squad and insane technical attributes.
