Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest expected to make offers ‘soon’ – Battle is on

Barcelona are set to face competition from Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest in the chase for Deportivo Toluca’s Maximiliano Araújo, according to AS.

Last season, the Uruguay international was used as a left-back, wing-back and a left winger, managing three goals and four assists from 36 games for the Mexican club.

Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa has deployed him as a winger, and he’s got an impressive two goals and an assist from three Copa América matches.

The 24-year-old’s displays for Uruguay could open the door to making a switch to Europe, where Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and the La Liga side are interested parties.

Barca have identified Araújo as an alternative to Athletic star Nico Williams. If they want to sign the South American, they have to act quickly because the Premier League sides ‘would be willing to negotiate’ for him this summer.

It’s claimed both Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have already made first contact with the Mexican club.

The Premier League duo haven’t yet made a bid, while AS say it’s ‘expected that they will arrive soon’. As well as Unai Emery’s side and the Reds, the ‘big six’ clubs have the player on their radar.

Araújo has a €20m clause, and Toluca aren’t willing to sell him for less than this figure this summer. The price should be reasonable for Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.