Aston Villa 'fail' in attempts to land transfer target as Bundesliga club close in on bargain deal

Aston Villa’s attempts to hijack a move for a ‘high-potential’ transfer target this month have failed. Tidiam Gomis of second tier French side Stade Malherbe Caen is only interested in joining one club in 2025, and it’s not the Villans.

It was recently reported that Villa had entered ‘advanced talks’ in attempt to sign Gomis, according to The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell. The 18-year-old had been viewed as star player for the future but new reports have struck Unai Emery’s side out of the running for his signature.

Villa to miss out on January target

Despite entering advanced stages of conversation with the Caen star, Gomis has now reached an agreement to swap France for Germany. That’s according to Sky Germany Philipp Hinze, who has posted on social media that the winger has agreed verbal terms with Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, despite attempts of ‘hijack’ from both Villa and AC Milan.

“Verbal commitment from Tidiam Gomis to RB Leipzig. Hijack attempts from Aston Villa and AC Milan,” Hinze wrote. “But Gomis wants to move to Leipzig! Transfer date: Summer 2025. Free transfer. Long-term contract for the high-potential player.”

Gomis is into the last months of his contract with Caen, which is his boyhood club. After securing concrete talks, he will be able to make the move for free at the end of the season. At just 18, the forward has risen through the ranks of the Normandy-based side and became the club's youngest ever professional player after signing his first senior contract in 2022.

Gomis is naturally a left-winger by trade but he is confident performing on the opposite flank and as a No.9 as well. He has had a mixed bag of performances this season, starting 12 Ligue 2 games and coming off the bench on seven occasions. In that time, Gomis has contributed two goals and two assists for the struggling Caen, who are currently fighting a relegation battle.

What’s next for Aston Villa?

After a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Monaco in the Champions League, Villa bounce straight back into Premier League action this weekend. Emery’s side will host West Ham at Villa Park on Sunday as they continue their push for a top four finish.

There have been a lot of surprise results so far this season, especially as Nottingham Forest have now joined Arsenal in chasing down leaders Liverpool. The East Midlands side are level on points with the Gunners, behind only on goal difference six adrift of the title hopefuls on Merseyside.

Villa are eighth in the Premier League table as things stand but only four points separate them from the top four. They are also just two behind reigning champions Manchester City, whose shock season continues after they were dealt a 4-2 defeat to PSG in the Champions League.

In a quick turnaround from this season’s match, Villa are back in European action when they play out their final Champions League first stage game against Celtic. Emery and co are fighting for an automatic qualification spot into the knockouts.