Aston Villa have made a 'concrete' offer to sign Moroccan star Yanis Benchaouch | OneFootball

Aston Villa have moved into pole position to secure the signature of rising Moroccan star Yanis Benchaouch, submitting a concrete offer for the AS Monaco goalkeeper ahead of the summer transfer window.

As first reported by AfricaFoot, the Midlands club has transitioned from mere interest to decisive action.

Villa have reportedly tabled a five-year contract featuring a net annual salary of €850,000.

In a move designed to smooth over negotiations with Monaco, where Benchaouch has officially declined a professional contract, Villa has included a significant future sell-on clause to avoid a lengthy dispute over training compensation.

Aston Villa leading the race but face stiff competition

While Unai Emery’s side is leading the European charge, they face a massive financial threat from Qatar.

Al Gharafa has entered the fray with a staggering package worth $1.2 million per year, supplemented by an annual signing bonus of $300,000.

The race for the 19-year-old does not end there. The report reveals that Benchaouch is currently on the “wish list” of ten different clubs.

Premier League rivals Bournemouth remain interested after a failed winter bid, while Serie A giants Inter Milan, Modena, and Monza are also monitoring the situation. Additional interest is stemming from the Eredivisie, the Belgian Pro League, and Spain’s La Liga.

Who is Yanis Benchaouch?

Standing as one of the most highly-rated young goalkeepers in French football, Benchaouch has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks at AS Monaco.

Despite his youth, he has been a consistent presence for Monaco’s U19 and “Groupe Élite” sides, earning a reputation for his exceptional reflexes and modern distribution.

Born in France but representing Morocco internationally, Benchaouch has already earned caps for the Moroccan U20 side.

His refusal to sign a professional deal in the Principality has made him one of the most sought-after free talents in Europe, as FIFA regulations currently allow him to sign a pre-contract with any club outside of France.

With Aston Villa currently competing at the top end of the Premier League, the chances of signing for them is much more compared to the rest.