Aston Villa are interested in signing Sevilla defender Diego Carlos, according to a report from The Athletic.
The lowdown: Carlos’ career so far
Signed from Ligue 1 outfit Nantes in 2019, the centre-back has amassed 136 appearances for Sevilla since arriving in Spain.
The 29-year-old also made six outings for the Brazil team which won Olympic gold in Tokyo last year and has previously been a major target for Newcastle United.
It now seems as though Steven Gerrard could be readying an approach to bring Carlos to Villa Park…
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The latest: Villa exploring Carlos swoop
As per The Athletic, Villa are ‘exploring the possibility’ of signing the experienced Brazilian centre-back this summer.
It’s claimed that Gerrard is ‘looking to strengthen his defensive options’ in the Villa squad as the 41-year-old attempts to build a squad capable of challenging in the top half of the Premier League table.
However, the report added that the asking price and salary for the man dubbed ‘amazing’ by journalist Dermot Corrigan following a standout display in the 2020 Europa League final could be a ‘complication’ for Villa owners NSWE.
The verdict: Make it happen
Carlos could be a potentially expensive signing given his £40.5m market value and contract until 2024 (Transfermarkt), but his proven quality from 230 top-flight outings in Spain, France and Portugal would be an upgrade on Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause.
During the 2021/22 season, the powerful Brazilian earned a superb 7.09 Sofascore rating whilst winning four duels and making 3.5 clearances per game, helping Sevilla to keep 13 clean sheets whilst also chipping in with three league goals.
His overall rating was significantly higher than the three aforementioned Villa centre-backs, with Mings coming out the best at 6.91 from Sofascore.
Signing a player of the calibre of Carlos would be a stellar statement from the Midlands club as they look to move on to the next phase of their development under Gerrard.
In other news: NSWE now eyeing another defender; Villa chiefs sent to club after Gerrard approves
