Aston Villa are ready to make some more upgrades on the summer transfer market, because they know a strengthened squad will go a long way in helping Unai Emery make some noise in the Champions League.
Emery is one of the best tournament managers in football, based on his track record in the Europa League as a three-time champion with Sevilla and a former winner with another great LaLiga club in Villarreal.
Aston Villa will need to overhaul their midfield to compete at the highest level, especially with star man Douglas Luiz one step away from joining Juventus this summer.
But the Lions also need to make upgrades to their back line. Ezri Konsa is top-notch, but Aston Villa could use a new starter next to former Villarreal standout Pau Torres.
According to a report from FootMercato.net’s Sebastien Denis, Aston Villa are among the clubs watching Jean-Clair Todibo closely for a summer move.
Todibo has been linked to several other top Premier League sides like Manchester United, but Aston Villa will have a key advantage there after finishing fourth and qualifying for the Champions League; Manchester United finished eighth and are only in the Europa League by virtue of their FA Cup triumph.
Juventus, Dortmund, and Bayer Leverkusen are three Champions League sides around Europe with interest in Todibo, per Denis. Interestingly enough, Todibo had a stint in the Bundesliga for Schalke, shining quietly on a team that was otherwise woeful. He would be one of the rare players to play for both Dortmund and Schalke, in that case.
Because Aston Villa can offer Todibo starting minutes and because they qualified for the Champions League, they may have a distinct advantage to signing the 24-year-old.
Todibo has been one of the best center backs in Ligue 1 since joining Nice, recording 3.4 and 3.2 combined tackles and interceptions per game in the last two seasons, respectively, with a pass completion percentage hovering around 90 percent.
Even though Todibo doesn’t get much action for the French national team, he should be regarded as one of the finest center backs in the country.
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