Aston Villa have made multiple attempts to sign a defender, submitting two bids, and they have now received a response, according to a report.
Villa keen to strengthen at the back
With Emiliano Martinez seemingly edging towards a summer exit, one of Unai Emery’s most difficult tasks this summer could be to bring in a new goalkeeper capable of replacing the Argentine, and the manager has his sights on several different targets.
Target
Current club
Potential cost
Aaron Ramsdale
Southampton
£25m
Joan Garcia
Espanyol
£25m
Caoimhin Kelleher
Liverpool
£40m
Lucas Chevalier
Lille
£40m
Signing a new goalkeeper could be viewed as a priority, given that it will be a tough ask to find a player on Martinez’s level, but Emery and NSWE are also keen to bolster the club’s defensive options this summer, with bringing in a new right-back on the agenda.
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That is according to a report from Panama, relayed by Sport Witness, which suggests Aston Villa are now very keen on signing Marseille’s Michael Amir Murillo, having already made two offers to sign the right-back, which have both been knocked back by the Ligue 1 side.
Having made multiple attempts to sign Murillo, it is clear Villa are determined to sign him, and a deal would be unlikely to break the bank, with the report stating that Marseille are looking to receive a fee of €25m (£21m).
It is unclear whether the Villans are willing to match the French club’s asking price, and the right-back’s arrival may depend on whether Matty Cash or Andres Garcia depart this summer, considering Emery is already very well-stocked in the right-back area.
"Unique" Murillo impressing under Roberto De Zerbi
The report highlights that the Panama international has received increased game time since Roberto De Zerbi’s arrival at Marseille last summer, and his versatility was on show throughout the 2024-25 campaign, often featuring at both right-back and centre-back.
As such, the 29-year-old’s arrival may not be dependent on Cash or Garcia leave this summer, given his ability to play in multiple positions, and he has clearly impressed De Zerbi, who said: “Murillo has unique characteristics. It is therefore not easy to replace him, especially with a player of similar quality.”
That said, given the versatile defender’s age, there could be doubts over whether he would be a necessary addition to the squad, particularly considering the fact that Emery has Cash and Garcia at his disposal at right-back, although the latter is yet to cement himself as a regular starter.
Not only that, but Emery is also well-stocked in the centre-back department, with Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa available, while Tyrone Mings was among Villa’s most consistent performers in the Premier League during the 2024/25 campaign.