Aston Villa were repeatedly mentioned as suitors to sign Matias Soule in the summer window. Their failure to land the Argentine could now turn into a transfer regret.
The attacking midfielder had an inconsistent 2025/26 campaign and was largely held back by muscle injuries. This led to Roma considering a summer sale, as they were under UEFA FFP obligations to earn capital gains.
That is when Sport Witness tracked claims from Italy about Aston Villa interest in Soule. Sunderland were also interested but the player ended up staying in the Italian capital.
The decision has paid off, with Soule having been one of Roma’s best players this season. Background on his situation has now emerged.
Villans had transfer opportunity
Gazzetta dello Sport explain the player came ‘very close’ to leaving Roma in the summer. He has gone from someone who is seen as a sellable entity to being indispensable under Gian Piero Gasperini.
Soule has now contributed to six goals in Serie A and also starred in the defeat against Manchester United.
The newspaper reveal that Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund were interested in the summer. AC Milan also made an initial approach to sign him. Roma were also keen on a sale and wanted €35m to move on from the Argentine. This would’ve given the Giallorossi the chance to sign a left sided wing-back, but by a matter of chance he stayed.
The player himself wasn’t too keen, as a ‘little voice’ inside the ex-Juventus player told him to stay.
Soule’s value is now €50m and no one at the club is even thinking about a future without him anymore.
The player is dreaming of reaching double figures for goals, as he is already on his way to achieving his best numbers in a single season.
Villa Park move may not have paid off
Soule had muscle problems last season and he needed a period of rest in the summer to get back to being fully fit. Staying at Roma and spending several weeks training under Gasperini has helped him.
The same may not have happened at Aston Villa, where the physical demands would have been different. He would’ve had to adapt to a new system under Unai Emery too. Playing in England would’ve brought different expectations.
All things considered, staying in Rome can go down as a huge turning point in his development. Aston Villa may regret it.
