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Written by Martin Graham | May 27 2022
Aston Villa have completed the signing of Sevilla defender Diego Carlos for £26m, subject to a medical at the weekend.
Villans pulled a coup to sign the Brazilian who had been a long-term target of Newcastle United, who tried to sign the defender in January. The Magpies and Los Nervionenses failed to reach an agreement before Villa pounced and select the defender.
Newcastle will get used to it now, as Carlos is the 1,000th player picked under their noses despite his support from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
On the other hand, Villa have just completed their third signing of the season after signing Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona and French midfielder Boubacar Camara, who opted not to renew his contract with Olympique Marseille.
The Birmingham-based club finished 14th in the Premier League in the season just ended. They started poorly under Dean Smith, but the club’s audacious decision to sack the man who helped them advance to the First Division a few years later to be replaced by the bright-eyed Steven Gerrard has paid off.
Football has improved, as has the general mood of the club, who now have the personality of Gerrard to help them in the transfer market.
Aston Villa’s statement on the signing of Carlos
A club statement read: “Aston Villa can confirm that the club have reached an agreement with Sevilla FC regarding the transfer of Diego Carlos for an undisclosed fee.
“The player will travel to England in the next few hours to complete the medical conditions and finalize the personal terms.”
The club is still planning more signings, with another defender and striker on their list. In defense, they were introduced to Nigerian full-back Calvin Bassi, who played under Gerrard when he was coach at Glasgow Rangers.
The 22-year-old was signed from Leicester City’s reserve team in 2020 and helped the team as one of the team’s most important players snatch the Scottish Premier League from Celtic’s grasp.
He could now return to England and could get his big break in the Premier League under the manager who gave him his first taste of top football.
Ex-Aston Villa captain backs Bassey hunt
Gabriel Agbonlahor, who is as Nigerian as Bassi and was the former Aston Villa captain in his era, has indicated that Bassi is a perfect fit for the club.
He also cited the Scottish Premier League’s financial prowess as a weakness that clubs could exploit.
“The problem with Rangers and Celtic is that they cannot pay the money that teams can pay in the Premier League. Goldson is trying to move for financial reasons,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider.
“What can Rangers do for my dress? That’s the issue. He can probably get twice the money at Aston Villa. I’m sure he’d be reluctant to sign a new contract and see what’s available to him, to be honest.”
“There will be clubs for him, 1,000 per cent. He’s fast, calm on the ball, strong and good in the air. I’ll take him to Aston Villa tomorrow. A lot of clubs in the Premier League will look at him. I’m amazed that Leicester let him go, to be honest. That’s it. Very strange “.
