Aston Villa linked with Juventus and Marseille players as club step up chase for midfield signing

Aston Villa have been linked with moves for Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentacur and Marsellie’s Boubacar Kamara as Steven Gerrard looks for reinforcements in the centre of park.

Initial discussions are said to be underway with Bentacur according to the Daily Mail while BirminghamLive have reported that the Villa Park side could swoop in for Kamara who has also been linked with Manchester United and Leeds United in this transfer window.

Villa have already splashed the cash this month to sign Lucas Digne for £25 million from Premier League rivals Everton, who they beat 1-0 yesterday, while also bringing in Barcelona attacker Philippe Coutinho on-loan.

Here is everything you need to know about the Bentacur and Kamara as well as what is being reported about their potential moves to Birmingham.

Who is Rodrigo Bentacur?

Rodrigo Bentacur is a 24-year old midfielder who plays for Serie A side Juventus.

The Uruguyan international moved to Turin from Argentinian side Boca Juniors in 2017 and has played 178 games for the club, scoring three goals.

Despite being only 24, Bentacur has already won five top division titles in his career as he lifted the Argentinian Primera División with Boca in 2015 and 2017 and the Serie A with Juve in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Hi collection of medal doesn’t end there having also won the Copa Italia twice, Supercoppa Italiana twice and the Copa Argentina.

On the international stage, Bentacur has earned 45 caps for the Uruguayan men’s international side.

Despite making 32 appearances for club and country this season, the midfielder has failed to hold down a regular starting berth in the Juventus team and has been used more often as a substitute.

What has been reported about Rodrigo Bentacur joining Aston Villa?

Today’s reports say that Aston Villa have “made and approach” for Rodrigo Bentacur and that discussions are underway.

Juventus are apparently willing to “listen to offers” as the look to “rebalance their squad”.

Who is Boubacar Kamara?

Boubacar Kamara is a 22-year old midfielder who plays for Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille.

A product of Les Phocéens academy, the French youth international played mainly for Marsellie II between 2016 and 2018 while making sporadic appearances for the first team.

The Marseille native established himself in the first team in the 2018-19 season and played a total of 126 games for the club, scoring three goals.

He was part of the side that were runners-up to Atletico Madrid in the 2018 UEFA Europa League final.

On the international stage, Kamara has represented France at every youth level from Under 17 to Under 21 and is also eligible to play for Senegal through his father.

What has been reported about Boubacar Kamara joining Aston Villa?

Today’s reports say that Aston Villa are “interested” in the player but nothing more.

It is believed they turned their attentions to Kamara after being priced out of a move for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yves Bissouma with the Seagulls wanting £50 million for their star midfielder.

The Marseille player would cost considerably less, with a fee of around £10 million believed to be enough due to his contract expiring at the end of the season.

Both Manchester United and Leeds United have previously been linked with move for Kamara.