Fulham will reportedly look to sign 31-year-old Brazilian defender Diego Carlos from Aston Villa in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Daily Mail, Diego Carlos is the subject of interest from Fulham. The Cottagers are keen on securing the services of a centre-back in the summer transfer window, even though Jorge Cuenca is closing in on arriving from Villarreal. Carlos has thus emerged as a viable target, with the Brazilian defender open to leaving Aston Villa this month.
How has Diego Carlos fared at Aston Villa?
Diego Carlos has struggled to stamp his authority since joining Aston Villa from Sevilla in a deal worth £26 million in July 2022. The experienced defender could have become the undisputed first-choice centre-back had he not suffered a long-term knee injury in his debut season.
The 31-year-old produced some impressive performances in the 2023/24 campaign but managed around 2,500 minutes of game time across 38 appearances across all competitions. However, Carlos is open to leaving Aston Villa in the summer transfer window as he wants to become the undisputed first-choice centre-back for the club he represents in the 2024/25 season.
The Brazilian defender does not have a shortage of suitors, with several foreign clubs setting their sights on him. However, a move across the Premier League might be on the cards, with Fulham keen on signing him in the summer transfer window.
London calling?
Fulham’s interest in Diego Carlos is understandable. While the Cottagers are closing in on signing Jorge Cuenca from Villarreal in the summer transfer window, they can do with another central defender. While Cuenca will replace Tosin Adarabioyo in the Fulham backline, it is worth noting that veteran defender Tim Ream is in the twilight of his career.
So, it behoves Fulham to invest in another centre-back, with Carlos emerging as a viable target for the West London club. The Brazilian defender is open to leaving Aston Villa in the summer transfer window to secure regular game time and become the undisputed first-choice centre-back.
So, Diego Carlos’s spell with Aston Villa might end before the summer transfer window shuts down, with Fulham pushing to secure his services. However, it will be interesting to see how much Aston Villa will demand to sell the 31-year-old and if the Villans look to recoup £26 million from his sale.
