New twist in Diego Carlos transfer saga as fresh exit option emerges for Aston Villa man
Diego Carlos may be fit - but that does not mean his future still lies with Aston Villa. The defender took to social media on Tuesday to deny he was unfit ahead of Villa’s trip to Everton tonight, but he still looks likely to be absent at Goodison Park as talks continue over his future.
It was Villa boss Unai Emery who said the Brazilian was unfit for tonight’s game, a claim later refuted by the player himself, but what does seem certain is that he is on his way out of Villa Park this month if and when a replacement is found.
Villa were locked in talks with Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce over a deal, but it emerged yesterday that negotiations had stalled on a player signed from Sevilla for around £26m in the summer of 2022.
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However, it has now emerged that fellow Turkish Super Lig outfit Galatasaray have approached Villa over a deal for the centre-half, and it seems unlikely that Emery will stand in the player’s way amid claims he has been available for sale in each of the last two transfer windows.
The latest update comes from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who posted on X: “Galatasaray have approached Aston Villa to ask for Brazilian CB Diego Carlos. Talks start as Diego Carlos can still leave Aston Villa with several options open. He won’t be part of the Loic Badé deal with Sevilla despite reports.”
According to reports in France, Villa have made enquiries about the 24-year-old Bade, who is reported to also be of interest to Premier League leaders Liverpool and top-four hopefuls Newcastle United.
With Pau Torres out of action for up to two months through injury, Tyrone Mings only recently back from a long layoff himself and Carlos attracting transfer interest, Villa are in need of defensive reinforcements , and it seems the Frenchman could fit the bill.
Badé, who won the Europa League in 2023 with the Spanish side, is under contract until 2029 and is reported to be subject to a €50m release clause. However, ongoing cash problems at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium have prompted claims Badé could be available for as little as £20m.
Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza has also been linked with Villa this month, and club transfer chief Monchi was in Spain at the weekend when he attended games involving Vigo and Sevilla.
Villa made their first signing of the winter window on Tuesday when they confirmed that forward Donyell Malen had joined the club in a deal worth around £20m plus add-ons from Borussia Dortmund.
