Huge Loic Bade to Aston Villa transfer update as Monchi steps up talks and fee claim made
Aston Villa chiefs Monchi and Damian Vidagany watched Loic Bade play for Sevilla against Valencia last weekend
Aston Villa are intensifying talks with Sevilla to sign Loic Bade, according to reports.
The 24-year-old centre-back has been identified as the club's primary target to replace Diego Carlos, who is expected to leave in this winter window. Turkish giants Fenerbahce are working to get a deal over the line for the Brazilian.
Villa must sell Carlos before recruiting Bade, who signed a long-term contract with Sevilla back in September. Though, the Spanish club are open to selling Bade for the right price given their financial position.
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Bade was close to joining Roma in the summer window, but he stayed put at Sevilla. A move never materialised even though the Serie A side were willing to pay around £17m for the defender.
Foot Mercato insist that Villa will have to pay more than what Roma bid because of Bade's improved performances this season. He was rewarded with a call-up to the France national team in October, but didn't make his debut for Les Bleus.
Bade came through the youth ranks at Le Havre and joined Lens in the summer of 2020 on a free transfer. The following summer, he headed to Stade Rennais before signing for Nottingham Forest on loan following their promotion to the Premier League.
Bade didn't make a single appearance under Steve Cooper and he returned to Rennais in January. Villa's president of football operations Monchi then signed him on loan for Sevilla, where he went on to win the Europa League at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
Monchi then left Sevilla for Villa in the summer of 2023, but the Spanish club did sign Bade permanently. He made 28 league appearances last season, but has continued to improve this term despite Sevilla's struggles on the pitch. Garcia Pimienta's side currently sit in 13th place in the Spanish top-flight, just six points above the relegation zone.