Done Deal: Italy talent Ruggeri to Aston Villa for €18m plus €6m bonus | OneFootball

Marca report that Italy international Matteo Ruggeri will join Aston Villa after an agreement with Atletico Madrid worth €18m plus €6m in add-ons.

The left-back just celebrated his 24th birthday last month and was purchased from Atalanta in the summer of 2025 with an investment worth €17m.

His value has since increased considerably on the transfer market, thanks to seven assists in 47 competitive appearances for the Colchoneros.

He started 39 of those games last season, including all the Champions League knock-out rounds that took them to the semi-final against Arsenal.

Ruggeri ready for Aston Villa transfer

MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 26: Matteo Ruggeri of Atletico de Madrid reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Metropolitano on November 26, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

According to Spanish site Marca, a deal has been done for Atletico Madrid to complete the sale to Aston Villa, and he won’t be travelling with Diego Simeone’s squad to South Korea.

It is going to be a fixed fee of €18m plus a further €6m in potential performance-related add-ons.

Ruggeri has not yet agreed personal terms, but is not expected to put up too much resistance.

Once that is completed, along with Nahuel Molina’s imminent sale to Roma, then Atletico Madrid could use those funds to beat Inter to Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 17: Matteo Ruggeri of Atletico de Madrid controls the ball whilst under pressure from Omar El Hilali of RCD Espanyol during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid at RCDE Stadium on August 17, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Another potential knock-on effect is that Aston Villa will abandon their pursuit of Milan left-back Pervis Estupinan, as they have the role covered now with Ruggeri.