Latest developments
- Aston Villa are negotiating a deal for Sevilla's Loic Bade.
- Villa are looking to beat Liverpool to the centre-back's signature.
- Bade has also attracted interest from Atalanta and Newcastle United.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (3.5/5): Nearly “here we go” time
Aston Villa are edging closer to the signing of one of their top January targets, Sevilla centre-back Loic Bade, beating Liverpool to his signature.
Top transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, said the deal is “on” with talks ongoing, having broken the news of Villa opening talks last week.
Value (3/5): A key man in Seville
The Villans may have bypassed a potential bidding wars with other sides, including Newcastle, but they are still likely to pay well over Bade's £21.1 million market valuation.
That's done to him being a key player for Sevilla, where he has started the majority of games in a difficult season for the multiple-UEFA Europa League winners, for whom he has a contract until 2029.
Suitability (4/5): Not his first time in England
A tall, strong defender who is good on the ball and at home in a back four makes Bade ideal for the Premier League and within Villa's system.
He has been contracted to a Premier League club before, but made zero appearances for Nottingham Forest in a 2022 loan deal.
Upgrade? (4/5): Expecting to start
The 24-year-old adds some youth to a Villa centre-back department which has just lost Diego Carlos to Fenerbahce.
Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings will add plenty of competition, but former France under-21 international Bade would expect to be starting when fit.
Logic (4/5): Europe on the horizon?
A mid-table finish looks all Sevilla are destined for this season, while a deep run in the UEFA Champions League and the potential to qualify regularly will be enticing to Bade.
Villa, meanwhile, are said to have received a healthy fee from Fenerbahce for Diego Carlos, counterbalancing some of the price they will have to fork out to land their top target.
Whisper+ verdict: 18.5/25
There could be a twist at the eleventh hour, but this seems to be quickly moving from rumour to done deal.
