50% price drop: Aston Villa seriously interested in "world-class" £34m star

Aston Villa are seriously interested in a move for a “world-class” player this summer, and he is now set to be available for half the original asking price, according to a report.

Villa targeting big-name signings

Villa have started to reestablish themselves as one of Europe’s top clubs, having progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals, which means they should be in a strong position to attract some big-name signings from across the continent this summer.

Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, who scored a hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final, has now emerged as a target, with the Villans keen on signing the £54m-rated forward, while they are also pushing to sign Barcelona’s Ferran Torres.

It seems as though strengthening in attack may be one of Unai Emery’s priorities this summer, amid other links to Chelsea’s Joao Felix, who is currently on loan at AC Milan, and Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.

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While bringing in new attacking options is of key significance, with Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford also in line for potential permanent moves to Villa Park, a new report suggests Emery is also keen on bolstering his options at the opposite end of the pitch.

According to TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are now strongly considering a move for AC Milan’s Mike Maignan this summer, with the goalkeeper set to be available for 50% of the original asking price.

Maignan was valued at around £67m last summer, but if he is unwilling to sign a new contract, he is set to be on the market for roughly half that figure, around £34m.

The Serie A side may be forced to cash-in on some key players if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, and the 29-year-old could be in line for a move to Villa Park, but there may be competition for his signature from Premier League rivals Chelsea.

Maignan ranked among “world’s best” keepers

Just under two years ago, the Frenchman was lauded as the “world’s best” goalkeeper by football writer Carlo Garganese, and he has a plethora of experience at the top level, having made 32 appearances in the Champions League.

That said, there are doubts over whether the Cayenne-born goalkeeper would be a necessary addition for Villa, given that he is less than three years younger than Emiliano Martínez, who has also proven himself to be a top goalkeeper.

Moreover, while the “world-class” France international remains his country’s first-choice goalkeeper, mistakes have started to creep into his game this season, which be a major concern for Emery.

As such, there is little reason to risk upsetting the apple cart by bringing in Maignan to replace Martinez this summer, and Villa would be better off investing the money into other areas of the squad, such as striker, with a replacement needed for Jhon Duran.