Aston Villa transfer latest as manager confirms deal is '99 per cent' done
Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of Andres Garcia after the Levante manager Julian Calero confirmed the player was "99 per cent out".
Sporting Lisbon were keen to land the full-back, but Villa look to have stolen a march on his signature in what will be a blow to the Portuguese club.
According to SuperDeporte, they say the 21-year-old’s transfer is close to being finalised with the fee set at around £6m.
READ MORE: Ollie Watkins makes Jhon Duran request to Unai Emery as he reveals what's 'never nice' to accept
READ MORE: Unai Emery speaks out as he slams Aston Villa suspension for Arsenal incident
Speaking about Garcia, Calero said: "I am happy for the group. I do not want pessimism to set in. Of course, if players leave in the market we will not like it. Andrés is 99% out. But we will regroup and move forward.”
Garcia is a routine pick for Levante and has begun to deliver in the final third in recent weeks, too; since the end of November he has contributed three goals and produced two assists, helping his side up into fifth in La Liga 2 and with an ambition of returning to La Liga by the end of the season.
Garcia attracted the interest of Sporting Lisbon in Portugal and Spanish top-flight sides Real Betis and Sevilla. Though, Villa have won the race to sign the promising defender, who will shortly have a medical ahead of joining.
Villa linked with Disasi
Aston Villa have been credited with an interest in Chelsea defender Axel Disasi this January transfer window as they look to make additions to their squad ahead of a push on multiple fronts in the second half of this season. Villa have progressed into the fourth round of the FA Cup and are well placed in the Premier League and Champions League as they look ahead to the final months of the campaign.
They've already been busy, securing the services of Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund while also sanctioning the exit of Jaden Philogene. Louie Barry is back at Villa, for now, but could head back out on a second loan spell before the deadline at the beginning of February. While Villa have addressed the forward situation and, in their minds, have improved Unai Emery's attacking options, a defensive reinforcement is sought.
Villa are expected to entertain loan interest in young defender Kosta Nedeljkovic, while they have also lost centre half Pau Torres to a foot injury for the next six weeks at least. There have been a horde of names mentioned since the opening of the window on New Year's Day, including Oscar Mingueza of Celta Vigo, Garcia at Levante and Loic Bade at Sevilla.
Teenager Yasin Ozcan is set to join from Kasimpasa but there remains doubt over the immediate future of Diego Carlos, so the picture in Villa's defensive department is set to change further in the coming fortnight or so, but Villa continue to be linked with other potential targets who could yet strengthen Emery's hand.
Disasi only signed for Chelsea in the summer of 2023 for £38 from Monaco. He has made 60 appearances for the Blues in that time, but only 16 of those have come this season. French international Disasi also has interest from Serie A side Juventus and could be permitted to leave on loan after falling out of favour with Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge.
