Aston Villa are currently in negotiations to secure the services of Villarreal defender Juan Foyth, as they seek to strengthen their defensive options ahead of the impending transfer deadline. This development follows the club's unsuccessful pursuit of Loic Bade from Sevilla, prompting a strategic shift towards the 27-year-old Argentine.
Initially, Villa had identified Bade, a 24-year-old French centre-back, as a primary target, with discussions around a potential transfer fee of £25 million. However, Bade recently confirmed his commitment to Sevilla, stating, "I'm staying at Sevilla, yes. I fully trust this project," effectively ending Villa's interest in the player.
In response to this setback, Aston Villa have turned their attention to Foyth, who possesses valuable Premier League experience from his time at Tottenham Hotspur. Reports suggest that Villa have made an official offer to Villarreal as they aim to bolster their defensive line before the transfer window closes on February 3. This urgency is underscored by the recent departure of Diego Carlos, who moved to Fenerbahce for a fee of £10 million.
The need for reinforcements is further compounded by injury concerns within the squad, notably the expected absence of Pau Torres until March due to a metatarsal fracture. Foyth's journey in English football began when he joined Spurs from Estudiantes in 2017, but he struggled to secure a regular starting position, making only 32 appearances across all competitions, including 16 in the Premier League.
Foyth's fortunes took a turn in 2020 when he was loaned to Villarreal, where he flourished under the management of Unai Emery, now at the helm of Aston Villa. Together, they achieved a remarkable feat by guiding Villarreal to their first major trophy, triumphing over Manchester United in the Europa League final. Following this success, Villarreal opted to make Foyth's loan permanent in 2021.
Now, Foyth stands on the brink of a potential return to England, which would facilitate a reunion with Emery, who is reportedly eager to bring him to Villa Park. Should the transfer come to fruition, Foyth could once again partner with Torres, with whom he enjoyed a successful collaboration during their time at Estadio de la Ceramica.
Despite being a well-regarded figure among Villarreal supporters, Foyth's future at the club is uncertain, as he has only 18 months remaining on his current contract. His recent career has been plagued by injuries, including a year-long absence due to a shoulder injury sustained in December 2023, followed by a knee issue during pre-season. Nevertheless, he has made a notable comeback, featuring in four of Villarreal's last five matches, starting in two, and is now keen to make up for lost time.