Aston Villa are leading the race for the signatures of 28-year-old Atletico Madrid defensive mainstay Mario Hermoso.
According to a report by Calciomercato, Aston Villa are front-runners for the services of Mario Hermoso. The English club are keen on reinforcing their defence ahead of next season and they are keeping a close eye on the 28-year-old’s contract situation at Atletico Madrid.
Hermoso was a part of the Real Madrid youth ranks before joining Espanyol in the summer of 2017. Things might not have worked out as planned at his childhood club but he did get back on track during his two-year stint at the Barcelona-based club.
His impressive performances caught the attention of Atletico Madrid who signed him in the summer of 2019. He has gone from strength to strength since joining Diego Simeone’s team.
The 28-year-old has been a mainstay in their team and a constant feature in the heart of their defence of late. In the ongoing season, the Spanish international has featured in 35 matches and has racked up over 3,000 minutes.
Mario Hermoso’s contract situation
While he remains an integral part of their first team, his contract runs out at the end of the season. With the defensive star available for free in a few months, clubs are keeping a close eye on him.
There is a lot of interest in him from Italy. Juventus and AC Milan are two clubs that have been linked with the 28-year-old. Both teams want to reinforce their defence but have financial restrictions and Hermoso could be a great opportunity for them.
Aston Villa leading the race for Mario Hermoso
However, the report states that Aston Villa are front-runners for his signatures as they look to bolster their defence. Unai Emery has done wonders for the English club. They are currently fighting for a spot in the Champions League and intend to further strengthen their squad in the summer.
Emery has made a move well in advance. While there are no mentions of exactly what he has done, the report does make it clear that they have intentions of going all the way if Hermoso and the Madrid-based club do not agree on a new deal before the end of the season.
Atletico Madrid’s priority is to extend his stay at the club given his importance in Simeone’s team. But, if the two parties fail to reach an agreement, Villa will look to make the most of the situation.
