Newly promoted Premier League side Aston Villa have lost the race for one of their summer targets, according to claims from Spain today.
Website Super Deporte claims that it was Valencia who managed to sign Facundo Rodriguez, a 16-year-old Uruguayan defender.
The player was running out of with Catalan side Espanyol, and his departure had attracted a list of clubs who intended to sign him.
Super Deporte claims that Juventus, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Aston Villa were some of the sides in the race, but they all ‘came late’ to close a deal.
Valencia had ‘lightning negotiations’ between their official Pablo Longoria and the player’s agent José Segui, and convinced the youngster to sign a three-year contract.
Rodriguez is now obviously joining the club’s academy, just like he would do if joining any other of the sides.
Since he’s Uruguayan and Super Deporte doesn’t say if he has an EU passport, perhaps he would have issues finding a work permit for the Premier League.
