For the past week or so, multiple reports coming out of the Spanish press have stressed Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany is set to join Aston Villa.
The La Liga side have already confirmed the Spaniard will leave on June 30th even though he had a deal lasting until 2024.
On Thursday, Jijantes stated Alemany had made a trip to England to finalise his move to Aston Villa. The 60-year-old hasn’t publicly talked about his expected move to the Premier League.
However, Barca vice-president for the economic area, Eduard Romeu, has told L’Esportiu de Catalunya that Aston Villa will be the sporting director’s next destination.
When directly asked to share his thoughts on Alemany, who is leaving the Catalan club for Unai Emery’s side, he said: “Mateu couldn’t say no. They put an astronomical salary on the table and, on top of that, they give you a blank cheque book and it’s very hard to say no. Mateu is a phenomenon, he has done a great job.”
Romeu also opened about his experience with Alemany and stressed Aston Villa are going to benefit from his appointment.
“I understood him very well because I don’t understand football at all, but he used to speak my language. It’s very difficult for a guy who understands football to get to speak in your language: amortisation, costs… it’s very bad news for us but he couldn’t say no,” Romeu explained.
“I would like to be able to offer him a blank cheque, although the regulations wouldn’t allow us either, they are more flexible over there in the Premier League. I am convinced that he will make a set that will make a splash.”
Alemany had planned to arrive at Aston Villa on July 1st but Jijantes reported yesterday that it’s not ruled out for him to join the English club earlier than that.
