Aston Villa in picture for club’s ‘key player’ – €40m needed for summer deal

Aston Villa have identified Benfica’s Florentino Luís as a target for the summer window.

Operating mainly as a defensive midfielder, he made 54 appearances last season, managing three assists in the process. His fine displays have not gone unnoticed at clubs across Europe.

That’s according to journalist Marcos Durán, relayed by A Bola, who states Aston Villa, Lyon and AC Milan are all interested in the 23-year-old. These three clubs have the player ‘on the agenda’ for the next window.

After spending two years on loan at AS Monaco and Getafe, the Portuguese was a regular for the Eagles last season. Last October, he was rewarded with a new contract until 2027, which includes a €120m release clause.

Despite the high clause, the report states Benfica are asking for a fee around €40m to let go of Florentino, who’s a ‘key player’ for Roger Schmidt.

Aston Villa and the midfielder’s other suitors have been told the fee needed to take him away from Benfica. Whether they’ll take further steps in the upcoming window remains to be seen.