Aston Villa are reportedly preparing to hold formal talks with Roma over a potential move for winger Matias Soule this summer, as Unai Emery continues plans to strengthen his squad ahead of another push for European football.
Villa have recently been linked with several high-profile targets, including West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes. The Portuguese international is expected to leave the London club this summer, even if the Hammers avoid relegation. However, competition for Fernandes is intense, with Manchester United also monitoring the situation, and any deal could reportedly reach £80m.
Alongside their interest in Fernandes, Villa are now stepping up efforts to sign Roma star Matias Soule. According to reports from Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness, the Midlands club are set to begin official discussions with the Serie A side over the Argentine attacker.
The report claims that Donyell Malen could potentially move in the opposite direction as part of negotiations, while Villa’s interest in Soule has accelerated in recent days. Roma are believed to value the 23-year-old at around €40m (£35m), and the player is expected to discuss his future with the Italian club soon.
Why Soule Has Drawn Comparisons to Jack Grealish
Aston Villa’s transformation over the past few years owes much to former captain Jack Grealish, whose influence helped establish the club as a Premier League force once again.
The academy graduate became one of Villa Park’s standout stars thanks to his dribbling, creativity and technical quality. Despite interest from elsewhere, Grealish remained loyal after Villa’s relegation to the Championship in 2016 and later played a major role in their return to the top flight.
During the 2020/21 campaign, Grealish recorded 17 goal contributions before completing a £100m transfer to Manchester City.
Jack Grealish’s Aston Villa Record
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 213 |
| Goals | 32 |
| Assists | 43 |
| Yellow Cards | 29 |
| Red Cards | 2 |
| Minutes Played | 15,338 |
Although losing Grealish was a major setback for supporters, the funds generated from his sale helped Villa progress under Emery’s leadership.
Soule is now viewed as a player capable of bringing similar qualities to Villa Park. The Argentine winger has impressed in Serie A with his close control and ability to beat defenders, averaging 1.3 successful dribbles per 90 minutes this season.
He has also added consistency in the final third, registering six goals and five assists in Italy’s top division during the current campaign.
The Roma attacker, previously described as “remarkable” by analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson, has created 1.8 chances per 90 minutes this season, highlighting his ability to influence matches creatively.
Like Grealish in his Villa days, Soule prefers operating from wide positions before cutting inside onto his stronger foot. Additional statistics, including a 30% crossing accuracy and 31% shot-on-target rate, further underline his effectiveness in attacking situations.
At just 23 years old, Soule is considered one of the most promising young forwards in Serie A and could significantly improve Emery’s attacking options.
While £35m would represent another major investment from Villa’s hierarchy, the move could prove worthwhile if Soule develops into a player capable of making a similar impact to Grealish during his time at Villa Park.
