Aston Villa could sell defender Diego Carlos in the January transfer window and may target former Leeds United player Diego Llorente as a replacement.
Villa boss Unai Emery is reportedly open to the move as he looks to reshape his defensive line.
Carlos’s Struggles at Villa
Diego Carlos joined Aston Villa in June 2022 for £26 million from Sevilla.
However, his time at the club has been challenging, with injuries and competition from players like Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa limiting his impact.
Despite playing 11 games this season, with eight starts, Carlos has struggled to secure a consistent role.
Carlos was linked with moves to Fulham and AC Milan over the summer, but no deals materialised.
Fulham eventually signed Joachim Andersen from Crystal Palace for £30 million, leaving Carlos to stay at Villa.
Llorente as a Target
If Carlos departs, Villa may turn their attention to Diego Llorente.
The 31-year-old defender joined Real Betis from Leeds United for a modest fee, reportedly around £2.5 million, and has quickly become a key player for the Spanish club.
Llorente has started all of Betis’s league matches this season and has a contract until 2028.
Replacing Carlos with Llorente could be tough for Villa. Betis is unlikely to let go of their star defender without a significant offer, given his current form and long-term deal.
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