According to The Pitch Prospect, Aston Villa are close to pulling out of a deal with Loic Bade.
The Pitch Prospect reported that Villa are working on a central defender move from Sevilla to replace Diego Carlos, who has moved to Fenerbahce.
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However, Frenchman Bade is believed to have had concerns about the move and negotiations have stalled.
The 24-year-old moved to Nottingham Forest from Rennes on loan in 2022, but did not make a single appearance for the club.
Bade’s contract was terminated in January 2023 and he then moved to Sevilla on loan before signing permanently in the summer.
He has made 63 appearances in LaLiga and played in the Champions League, but is unlikely to return to the Premier League with Villa.
Unai Emery’s side are currently without centre-back Pau Torres, who suffered a metatarsal injury in the 2-2 draw with Brighton.
The Spaniard is expected to be sidelined until the end of February and has since been replaced by Tyrone Mings in Villa’s back line.
Mings and Ezri Konsa have been Emery’s preferred centre-back duo in the last three Premier League games.
Sil Swinkels and Lamare Bogarde are other options for the position.
However, as both players are 21 years old, Villa may prefer to sign a more experienced player this month.
The Pitch Prospect reported in early January about advanced discussions with Celta Vigo about Oscar Mingueza, who can play at right-back and centre-back.
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Mingueza, who formerly played for Barcelona, has 18 months left on his contract and has played twice for the Spanish national team.
Villa have made two new signings in this period, the first of which was winger Donyell Malen, who moved from Borussia Dortmund for £24m.
They then welcomed the arrival of right-back Andres Garcia from Levante for a reported £6m.
Villa host West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday after losing 1-0 to Monaco in the Champions League on Tuesday night.