Roma are keen on signing Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, according to Mike McGrath of The Telegraph. Dean Smith’s side have also been looking at potential reinforcements in midfield, with James Ward-Prowse, Harry Winks and Todd Cantwell among those being considered.
Villa have also had two bids rejected for Arsenal’s young attacker Emile Smith Rowe. They have been one of the more active teams so far in the summer transfer window while others’ attention has been on Euro 2020.
Roma Want Douglas Luiz While Aston Villa Look at Reinforcements
Mourinho Continues Premier League Raid
Luiz is the third Premier League player to be linked with Roma, who are now managed by Jose Mourinho after he was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur in April.
The club are said to be closing in on the signing of Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Rui Patricio, while they are also set to sign Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka during this window.
Roma finished seventh last season in Serie A, securing a place in the new Europa Conference League. For a side that reached the Champions League semi-finals, playing in UEFA’s newly-formed third-tier competition will be seen as a huge drop, so Mourinho must get his signings right if he is to take them back to previous heights.
Villa’s Potential Options
Smith’s side have already expressed an interest in Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse but saw their bid for the Saints captain turned down.
As well, they have been monitoring Tottenham’s Harry Winks as another central midfield option as well as two wide players in Todd Cantwell and Dwight McNeil.
Cantwell impressed in his only Premier League season to date with Norwich City in 2019/20, which resulted in links with Liverpool. McNeil, meanwhile, is a regular for Burnley.
Villa Trying to Tie Down Grealish
The club are currently in talks with talismanic captain Jack Grealish about a new contract amid interest from Manchester City, who have shown interest with a £100 million offer lined up.
According to The Telegraph’s Sam Wallace, Grealish currently earns around £100,000 a week, and any new deal would increase this to around £150,000.
The England international’s current deal runs until 2025 and any new contract would likely extend this by at least a year.
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