Steven Gerrard’s resurgent Aston Villa have reportedly made a formal offer to sign Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur.
According to Football Insider, Premier League side Aston Villa have made an offer to secure the services of Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur in the January transfer window.
The arrival of Steven Gerrard as the manager midway through the season appears to have kick-started a new era at the Midlands club. They have not just improved their results on the field but have also brought in players such as Lucas Digne and Philippe Coutinho this month.
The latest name on their radar is Bentancur, who has made a name for himself in Serie A. The Uruguayan came through the ranks at Boca Juniors before moving to Italy by joining Juventus in 2017. The 24-year-old has since made 181 appearances for the Bianconeri, scoring thrice and assisting 18 more.
A central midfielder by trade, Bentancur is versatile enough to play anywhere in the middle of the park. His intelligent use of the ball and his reading of the game make him a reliable player to anchor the midfielder. A good passer of the ball, the Uruguayan midfielder can also kick-start attacks while also packing a punch in the air.
The three-time Serie A winner’s performances have caught the attention of Villa, who have now made an £18 million bid for his services. Bentancur appears to be ready to make a move ahead of Monday’s transfer window deadline. The very fact that he is willing to quit a Champions League side to move to Villa shows the pull of Gerrard’s project.
Villa are in the market for an anchorman following Marvelous Nakamba’s injury and subsequent surgery. With Nakamba set to miss around three to four months of action, the Villans must make a move this January.
In Bentancur, they will be landing themselves a world-class player who is a proven talent at the top level. Just 24, he can be a long-term solution for Villa in the middle of the park. His presence will allow the more industrious John McGinn and the silky Philippe Coutinho more freedom to push forward. It will add more balance to the Premier League side and make them a formidable team to play against.
Juventus are close to finalising a move for Dusan Vlahovic and this could be in Villa’s favour. With a £63 million bid in the works, the Serie A giants could be open to cashing in on Bentancur. As things stand, Juventus will only sanction a move for Bentancur if they can bring in a replacement. With just days left before the winter transfer window closes, it is now a race against time for Villa to land their man.
