Aston Villa are intensifying their pursuit of Fikayo Tomori from AC Milan as the January transfer window approaches its conclusion. Insights from former senior scout Mick Brown reveal that manager Unai Emery views the 27-year-old defender as the "perfect fit" for his defensive setup.
This development follows a report from Football Insider on January 22, which indicated that Aston Villa have joined Newcastle United in the race to secure Tomori's return to the Premier League. The West Midlands club is eager to bolster their defensive options, particularly in the wake of Diego Carlos's departure, and is expected to act swiftly in the transfer market.
Tomori has emerged as a primary target for Villa, with Emery keen to inject pace into his defence. The player's extensive experience in high-level football is regarded as a significant asset. Brown noted that Tomori would be amenable to a return to England, having left Chelsea to pursue his career in Serie A four years ago. However, the final decision lies with AC Milan, where he has recently regained his starting position following the appointment of new manager Sergio Conceicao.
In a previous discussion in December, Brown highlighted Villa's ongoing search for a "top-class" centre-back, expressing concerns about their current defensive capabilities. With over a decade of experience in elite player recruitment during his time at Manchester United, Brown emphasised that Tomori would be a valuable addition, aligning seamlessly with the club’s objectives.
"They've been looking to sign a centre-back this month," he stated to Football Insider. "Whenever I see Villa play, they're well-drilled but there aren't many players in the side, especially at the back, who have real pace." He further remarked, "Tomori is seen as the perfect option in that regard because he would bring that pace, so I hear Emery would be very much in favour of that move. He knows the league as well, which is always a positive, and I think after a few years away in Italy he'd welcome a return to England."
Brown also underscored the urgency in Villa's pursuit of a centre-back, particularly in light of Carlos's recent exit. "It's been an area they've been looking at for a while and now Carlos has left there's going to be even more urgency."
In addition to their efforts to sign Tomori, Aston Villa are reportedly contemplating a late bid for Besiktas forward Semih Kilicsoy, further underscoring their intent to strengthen the squad before the transfer window closes. As the clock ticks down, Villa's ambitions to enhance their roster are becoming increasingly evident, reflecting a proactive approach to the challenges ahead.