Emery makes ‘express request’ for Aston Villa to sign player – Club want €18m minimum

Aston Villa will need to pay at least €18m if they wish to sign Real Betis defender Álex Moreno in the January transfer window.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who cover Villa’s interest in the left-back today after news first emerged of their plans to move.

They report that Aston Villa are ‘looking to acquire’ the services of the 29-year-old at the ‘express request’ of coach Unai Emery.

Real Betis have been made aware of this desire and ‘know the movements’ of the Premier League side ahead of the January transfer window.

They have ‘already said’ that they won’t let their star full-back leave in the winter window for less than €18m; a stance they have presumably made clear to Aston Villa.

Sources have confirmed that stance to the newspaper.

Whether Villa are willing to match that figure remains to be seen but Betis are seemingly expecting a bid to arrive at some point as they know that Emery wants the player for his Villa Park rebuild.

If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Nottingham Forest made a big attempt to sign him in the summer, only for him to reject the newly promoted side.