Sources also state that Aston Villa made contact with Chelsea for Axel Disasi – the France international who Enzo Maresca wants to offload.

Now – however – understand Aston Villa are progressing in talks to sign Juan Foyth from Villarreal, who has been a target for Unai Emery ever since the Spaniard replaced Steven Gerrard in October 2022.

Graeme Bailey – Chief Correspondent at – has now been told that Villarreal have given the Argentina international permission to leave after Monchi made an approach last week.

The Spaniard – who is President of Football Operations at Villa Park – has been in regular contact with Villarreal for the last 12 months regarding Foyth, who has often come up during talks Alex Baena, another player Aston Villa admire.

It is even believed that Emery often brought up the 27-year-old South American during discussions over bolstering the backline, and Villarreal are now open to a deal.

Foyth – who Villarreal signed from Tottenham for £13m back in June 2021 – can play in either the centre of defence, or on the right.

Foyth made 74 appearances under Emery at Villarreal – more than the Argentine has made under any other manager.

The 53-year-old primarily used the Villarreal No.8 as a right-back in Spain, deploying him there for crucial games, such as the UEFA Champions League semi-final clash against Liverpool in 2022, as well as the UEFA Europa League final victory over Manchester United in 2021.

Emery has – however – also used Foyth as a central defender, and in a holding midfield role, so the man born in La Plata would seemingly be a very useful utility player for Aston Villa if Monchi can agree a deal.