Aston Villa storm into race to signal the perfect tackler within the Champions League

Aston Villa at the moment are eager on signing Sporting CP defender Maxi Araujo, and the Portuguese facet are prepared to sanction a switch this summer season.

Araujo attracting curiosity after impressing within the Champions League

Sporting CP bowed out of the Champions League on the spherical of 16 stage, dropping to Arsenal 1-0 on mixture, which is actually no shame, with Mikel Arteta’s facet main the way in which within the Premier League.

Regardless of his facet dropping towards the Gunners, Araujo was very spectacular on a private stage, and now sits on the prime of the charts with regards to tackles within the Champions League this season.

Maybe unsurprisingly, the Uruguayan is now beginning to appeal to curiosity from elsewhere, with Arsenal not too long ago holding talks a couple of summer season deal for the left-back, who has a £70m launch clause in his contract with the Liga Portugal facet.

Nonetheless, in keeping with a report from Sport Witness, Sporting could be prepared to cash-in for round €50m (£43m) this summer season, and Aston Villa have now burst into the race for Araujo’s signature.

Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Manchester Metropolis and Manchester United are additionally credited with an curiosity although, so there could possibly be fierce competitors from a few of Villa’s Premier League rivals.

Lauded as “explosive” by some analysts, the Sporting star is able to enjoying at each left-back and as a winger, which might make him a flexible choice for Unai Emery.

Emery is eager to herald an improve on present left-back Lucas Digne this summer season, in keeping with former scout Mick Brown, who mentioned: “Left-back is a place Emery desires to strengthen in, so I count on they’ll do it in the summertime.

“Digne isn’t a nasty participant, however he’s additionally not an actual prime participant both. If Villa need to be a prime staff, he’s someone they should enhance on.”

Maxi Araujo’s key stats this season

Except for impressing within the Champions League, the 26-year-old has been an vital participant within the Liga Portugal, the place his attacking qualities have been on full show.

1,855 minutes performed
4 targets
3 assists
661 profitable passes
102 defensive contributions
99 recoveries
6 clear sheets

Lucas Digne’s key stats this season

Though Digne has been dropped in favour of Ian Maatsen every now and then, the Frenchman has made 29 appearances within the Premier League this season, and very similar to Araujo, he additionally has a eager eye for creating probabilities.