Aston Villa have reportedly submitted a offer to secure the services of IF Elfsborg goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson, but face competition from Danish outfit Copenhagen.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa have submitted an offer for 22-year-old Elfsborg goalkeeper Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson, believed to be worth “in excess” of €2 million, with Danish club Copenhagen also said to be interested.
“Aston Villa and Copenhagen have both sent formal bid to sign Hákon Rafn Valdimarsson,” Romano said on X.
“Nothing done yet as 2001 born GK is wanted by several clubs. Aston Villa have sent bid in excess of €2m… while Copenhagen offered around €1.7m.”
The Villains are attempting to bring in a new backup to Emiliano Martinez at a low cost, with current understudy Robin Olsen enduring a fair share of injury troubles and lacking reliability. Filip Marschall is the next available option, with Viljami Sinisalo currently out on loan, but Marschall is now also a target for League Two club Milton Keynes Dons.
Valdimarsson, available for a few million quid, could be a great cover option as he has been a standout shot-stopper in the Swedish Allsvenskan.
The 22-year-old joined Swedish outfit Elfsborg in 2021 after progressing through the youth ranks at Grotta in his native Iceland, and he has since racked up 49 appearances for the club. His 14 clean sheets in 29 league appearances saw him voted goalkeeper of the year in the Allsvenskan last season.
Furthermore, he has five caps for Iceland to his name already, and it appears as though his form for club and country has attracted the attention of some major European clubs. The new campaign doesn’t start until the end of March in Sweden, so there’s a real possibility the 22-year-old, who is currently enjoying a break, could be on the move this January.
With strong links to Red Star Belgrade right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic, Besiktas wonderkid Semih Kilicsoy, and Hellas Verona full-back Josh Doig, it appears as though Villa have a clear strategy and focus on targeting younger players to improve the squad’s quality in the short-term and long-term future.
With FFP reasons coming into play, there could be some intriguing new signings drafted in over the next two weeks at Villa Park.
