According to Football365 and Fussball News, Aston Villa are interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia to respond to Amadou Onana’s long-term absence and as a key option in a possible January search for midfielders.
Onana’s ACL injury and Villa’s current midfield options
Amadou Onana underwent knee surgery for his ACL and is expected to be sidelined for nine months.
This season, Aston Villa have used Boubacar Kamara, Joao Gomes and Lamare Bogarde in a similar role to the one Amadou Onana plays.
January plans and Lavia’s place on Villa’s shortlist
Fussball News reports that Aston Villa could be active in search of midfielders in January.
Fussball News states that Romeo Lavia is high on Aston Villa’s list of potential midfield signings.
Aston Villa are said to be seriously considering Romeo Lavia and have kept track of his progress in recent weeks.
Romeo Lavia is believed to be a suitable candidate to take the place of Amadou Onana in Aston Villa’s midfield.
Unai Emery is said to be particularly impressed with Romeo Lavia’s qualities.
It is said that Romeo Lavia has the qualities Aston Villa are looking for in their midfield.
Potential talks with Chelsea and budget concerns
Aston Villa are said to be preparing for potential talks with Chelsea over Romeo Lavia.
Discussions about a potential transfer of Romeo Lavia to Aston Villa are already said to be ongoing through intermediaries.
A report notes that Aston Villa and Chelsea have done a lot of transfer business with each other recently.
A report describes Aston Villa’s reported €35million (£29m) budget for Romeo Lavia as very low for them to land the Belgian.
The reported €35million (£29m) budget for Romeo Lavia is described as very low for Aston Villa to land the Belgian.
The report states that either a transfer of Romeo Lavia to Aston Villa or of Boubacar Kamara to Chelsea appears unlikely.
Lavia’s situation at Chelsea and his playing time
Chelsea are reportedly not actively looking to sell Romeo Lavia.
A report states that Romeo Lavia has played more minutes than any of Chelsea’s other midfielders this season.
Following the summer sale of Enzo Fernandez without a new midfield addition, the likelihood of Chelsea letting any of their midfielders go is described as slim.
Romeo Lavia is said to feel comfortable at Chelsea and does not want to force a transfer.
It is said that the prospect of regular appearances could change Romeo Lavia’s view on leaving Chelsea.
It is said that Romeo Lavia has been the most-used midfielder by Xabi Alonso at Chelsea this season.
It is said that Romeo Lavia has been the most-used midfielder by Xabi Alonso at Chelsea this season, which is cited as a reason that moving elsewhere would not necessarily mean far more opportunities.
Aston Villa’s links with Romeo Lavia come amid a suggestion that Chelsea want to sign Boubacar Kamara.
Boubacar Kamara has started every Premier League game in Aston Villa’s midfield this campaign so far.
It is said that Aston Villa do not want to let Boubacar Kamara go.
