Aston Villa Set to Battle West Ham United in the Race to Sign £34m Defender – Report | OneFootball

Aston Villa and West Ham Lock Horns for Bellanova: Who Will Win the Race for the £34m Assist King?

CaughtOffside has revealed that both Aston Villa and West Ham United are closely monitoring Atalanta’s dynamic full-back Raoul Bellanova, as Premier League clubs begin to mobilise for the summer window. With a valuation set at around €40 million, the 25-year-old Italian international is attracting notable attention — and rightly so.

Bellanova’s Growing Reputation

The former Inter Milan and Cagliari man enjoyed a standout season with Atalanta, notching nine assists across all competitions, a remarkable return for a player in a defensive role. It’s this kind of productivity that has Premier League scouts circling, and CaughtOffside’s report makes clear that “he has started to attract the attention of Premier League clubs.”

While no formal negotiations have taken place as of yet, the groundwork is clearly being laid. Fulham are also named as a club keeping tabs on the player, while Napoli could look to keep Bellanova in Serie A. However, the lure of the Premier League and the potential to link up with Unai Emery or take on a new challenge under West Ham’s rebuilding project could prove decisive.

Photo: IMAGO

Versatility and Tactical Intelligence

Bellanova’s profile is exactly what modern top-flight managers crave. Comfortable both at right-back and right wing-back, his energy, crossing ability and final-third decision-making have taken significant strides. For Villa, he represents an intriguing alternative or even a direct challenge to Matty Cash, offering Emery the chance to tweak his system based on opposition or competition.

As one source told CaughtOffside, “Bellanova could offer Villa something different from Matty Cash in that position,” a statement which hints at the adaptability Emery so often leans on.

Premier League Calling?

Both clubs present contrasting but compelling propositions. West Ham, having parted ways with Vladimir Coufal and potentially seeking an upgrade on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, may view Bellanova as a cornerstone for their next evolution under Graham Potter. But it is Villa, fresh off a Champions League qualification campaign, who may offer the more immediate promise of elite European nights.

CaughtOffside were also clear about the managerial pull, noting that “Unai Emery has done a fine job at Villa Park so might be seen as the more tempting option right now.” This nod towards stability and momentum may tip the scales in Villa’s favour.

What’s At Stake

If Atalanta decide to cash in on Bellanova, his €40m price tag might prove steep for some, but for Villa and West Ham, this is less a gamble and more a strategic investment. The player is entering his prime and has already shown he can contribute decisively in a system that demands attacking output from its full-backs.

This tug-of-war is likely to escalate in the coming weeks, particularly if Bellanova’s agents begin to formalise talks. For now, it’s a waiting game, but one that underscores just how competitive the market has become for top-tier European talent.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From an Aston Villa fan’s perspective, this link to Raoul Bellanova is absolutely thrilling. Nine assists from right-back in a top-five league? That’s the kind of productivity we haven’t consistently seen from the position in years. Matty Cash has been solid, no doubt, but Bellanova brings an extra layer of dynamism, especially in overlapping runs and attacking combinations.

With Champions League football returning to Villa Park, we need depth and variation in every area, and Bellanova ticks that box in bold. At 25, he’s the right age for long-term planning and could easily grow into a leadership role within a few seasons. The fact that clubs like Napoli are also interested shows he’s highly rated on the continent, and that makes this potential move even more mouth-watering.

Let’s be honest, Emery knows what he’s doing in the transfer market. If he wants Bellanova, it’s because he sees a specific tactical use — maybe even a move to a three-at-the-back shape in Europe? Either way, it’s a statement of ambition. If West Ham want to bid, let them. But we’ve got the pull now — Villa Park is a destination, not a stepping stone.