Aston Villa add World Cup star to summer shortlist | OneFootball

Aston Villa have added Belgium forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo to their summer shortlist as Unai Emery targets attacking reinforcements.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, the 21-year-old’s versatility across the front line appeals to Emery, and Lille are believed to value him at around £30 million.

Fernandez-Pardo earned his first senior call-up after an impressive season and made his World Cup debut in a 1-1 draw with Egypt on Monday. Emery wants to strengthen before next season, ideally recruiting a striker and two wide players.

Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes has long been admired, and Villa have been tracking Paris Saint-Germain teenager Ibrahim Mbaye. The 18-year-old scored off the bench in Senegal’s 3-1 defeat to France on Tuesday, becoming the youngest African to score at a World Cup. Chelsea have also been credited with an interest, and PSG’s stance on offers is unclear.

Villa are also monitoring goalkeepers amid uncertainty over long-time No.1 Emi Martinez. He kept a clean sheet as Argentina began their title defence with a 3-0 win over Algeria. Talks have taken place between his representatives and Juventus, but it remains to be seen whether the Italians will firm up their interest with a bid.

Juventus are still thought to be monitoring Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario as a possible alternative if negotiations do not progress. Japan international Zion Suzuki is among the keepers Villa have been watching. Emery and his staff must also navigate a window shaped by last year’s Uefa settlement after a financial fair play breach, with Villa fined £9.5 million and warned that further excessive breaches would risk expulsion from future European competition.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com