Aston Villa boss Unai Emery gives direct response to Real Madrid question | OneFootball

Unai Emery insists there is zero chance of him leaving Aston Villa for Real Madrid this summer.

Asked if there was any possibility of him joining Real, Emery replied: "Zero," speaking to Eidesmarque.

"I'm only thinking about where I'm wanted, and I'm wanted at Aston Villa. I've already said it in the team talk there, that the first thing you have to do is feel grateful where you're wanted and, above all, do a lot to make sure you're wanted where you are, which is where you're known."

Emery was in Madrid for the Golden Bench Awards Gala, where he was honoured as one of the leading Spanish coaches of the season after guiding Villa to Europa League glory. The 54-year-old signed a five-year contract in 2024 and is already among the highest-paid coaches in Europe.

He was first linked with Real earlier in the year after Xabi Alonso was sacked midway through the season. The identity of Alonso’s permanent successor will depend on the election result, expected on Sunday. Current incumbent Florentino Perez plans to appoint Jose Mourinho should he be re-elected, while Enrique Riquelme reportedly has Jurgen Klopp at the top of his wishlist.

Emery’s focus now turns to a busy summer at Villa, aiming to build a squad to push on again in the Premier League and Champions League. Villa are among the clubs chasing Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye, with pace a priority in attack. Mbaye is with Senegal at the World Cup and no decision is likely until after the tournament.

The same timeline applies to Morgan Rogers, who is attracting interest from across Europe. Bayern Munich are the latest to be linked but Villa have no intention of selling and will play hardball. Right-back Andres Garcia is expected to depart, with Lyon the latest to register interest in the 23-year-old.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com