SMART MOVE: Monchi set to Strike £0m deal to replace Aston Villa prodigy with 26yr Old Outstanding Player price tagged £17m by Club.
Aston Villa are aiming to secure a cost-effective replacement for Matty Cash this summer, targeting a player from the same city as the Poland international’s likely destination. With Cash heavily linked with a move to AC Milan, Villa are exploring the possibility of signing Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries as his replacement.
As Villa prepare for Champions League football next season, manager Unai Emery is expected to bolster his squad with fresh faces to cope with the demands of playing in Europe’s elite competition. While Emery boasts extensive European experience, most of his current Villa players lack exposure at the highest level.
Villa’s director, Monchi, has already held discussions with AC Milan regarding Cash’s potential transfer, with the Midlands club reportedly willing to part ways with the Polish right-back for around £17 million. Simultaneously, Villa have identified Dumfries as their primary target to fill the potential void left by Cash’s departure.
Interestingly, Inter Milan’s valuation of Dumfries also stands at £17 million, presenting Villa with the opportunity to effectively secure the Dutch full-back without incurring additional transfer costs if they offload Cash to AC Milan for the same fee. Monchi is reportedly ready to “go all in” to acquire Dumfries should Cash’s departure materialize.
At 28 years old, Dumfries is two years older than Cash but brings valuable experience playing in the Champions League, having started the 2022/23 final and amassing 29 appearances in the competition. This expertise could prove invaluable for Villa as they venture into the Champions League next season. Additionally, Dumfries’ performances in the 2023/24 league campaign were arguably superior to Cash’s.