Aston Villa have reportedly identified Atletico Madrid midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia as one of their top summer targets.
According to Birmingham Live, Aston Villa are weighing up a move for Geoffrey Kondogbia in the summer. The Atletico Madrid midfielder is rated highly by Steven Gerrard, who had personally scouted him during the reigning La Liga holders’ UEFA Champions League encounter against Manchester City earlier this week.
Formerly of Inter Milan, Kondogbia has been a consistent performer at Atletico Madrid since arriving in the summer of 2020. Although his progress was marred by injuries, the midfielder has recovered extremely well, eventually becoming a first-team regular under Diego Simeone.
The Central African Republic international has featured in 60 competitive matches, impressing the onlookers with his imposing presence in the number six slot, coupled with his ability to carry the ball forward. Moreover, the 29-year-old offers intensity and aggression in the second line of press, which goes hand in hand with Diego Simeone’s style of play.
Gerrard believes Kondogbia has what it takes to become a success in the Premier League. A holding midfielder by trade, the Aston Villa coach wants him to occupy the holding midfield role next season, especially amid reports linking Douglas Luiz to a potential move away from Villa Park.
Arsenal are among the clubs interested in Luiz, whereas Marvelous Nakamba has struggled with injuries this term. It makes Kondogbia a valuable addition to the Aston Villa setup, as he can offer excellent defensive cover as well as creativity going forward. He could build a formidable combo alongside John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of the Aston Villa midfield.
However, it remains to be seen whether Atletico Madrid are willing to part ways with the former Valencia starlet anytime soon. The 29-year-old midfielder, after all, has played a key role in helping the La Liga club replace Thomas Partey.
Kondogbia also has two more years remaining on his contract, which could hand Atletico Madrid the leverage to hold out for a hefty price tag for the 29-year-old. Luckily, Aston Villa have no shortage of alternatives, as they are also targeting several other options across Europe including Yves Bissouma of Brighton & Hove Albion.
The likes of Ibrahim Sangare and Kalvin Phillips have also emerged as potential alternatives, so it will be interesting to see how Aston Villa approach the market this summer.
