Aston Villa join transfer battle with 26 clubs to land "next Ngolo Kante" | OneFootball

Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur have joined an extensive list of 26 top-flight clubs tracking Reims' midfield prodigy Valentin Atangana according to Alan Nixon. The 19-year-old French midfielder, dubbed the "next N'Golo Kante" by local media, has displayed exceptional abilities that have caught the attention of scouts across Europe's major leagues.

Atangana's breakthrough season at Reims has seen him secure a starting position in all 13 Ligue 1 matches, where he has shown remarkable defensive capabilities and precise passing skills.

His talent reached new heights when he scored on his debut for the France Under-21 team during a 2-2 draw against Italy, further cementing his reputation as one of French football's brightest prospects.

Premier League clubs on alert

Aston Villa's interest in the young midfielder has taken a serious turn, with chief scout Steve Head personally attending matches to assess his performances. The timing of Villa's pursuit is significant as they look to end their eight-game winless streak across all competitions. The potential signing could provide manager Unai Emery with additional midfield options, particularly with Boubacar Kamara facing injury concerns.

The race for Atangana's signature has intensified with Everton joining the hunt, as their scouts were spotted at recent matches evaluating the talented teenager. Meanwhile, Tottenham's manager Ange Postecoglou views the midfielder as a valuable addition to boost their Champions League qualification aspirations.

European competition heats up

Beyond English shores, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund have expressed strong interest in acquiring the midfielder. Reims holds a strong negotiating position with Atangana's contract running until 2027.

Aston Villa might propose a loan-back arrangement, similar to their previous deal with Kosta Nedeljkovic, allowing Reims to retain the player temporarily whilst securing his future transfer.

Both Villa and Spurs are carefully considering their strategies to acquire the promising midfielder. Atangana's impressive defensive abilities and distribution skills make him an attractive prospect for clubs aiming to strengthen their squads in the upcoming window.

The young midfielder's future remains uncertain as top clubs across Europe prepare their bids, setting the stage for an intense transfer battle in January.