'Pushing hard' - Aston Villa could land £25m alternative to Axel Disasi in last-gasp transfer swoop

Aston Villa have reportedly not given up hope on signing Villarreal defender Juan Foyth before the transfer deadline, though time is off the essence.

Birmingham World understands any potential deal for Chelsea’s Axel Disasi is now highly unlikely as the Blues requested more than £5 million for the six-month loan, a fee Villa thought was excessive. Other options have been looked at in the background as a result with Unai Emery hoping to bring in a new central defender to address the lack of depth in that area.

TBR Football reports Foyth, who has previously been linked with Villa in this window, remains a possible addition. It’s claimed the Villans are pushing hard and are yet to fully give up on the former Tottenham Hotspur defender, though a move is growing increasingly unlikely as the hours tick on.

Foyth has played just five times in La Liga for Villarreal so far this season as he suffered a knee injury before the campaign got underway. Recently a returnee, the 18-time former Argentina international has started the Yellow Submarine’s last three league matches, conceding just two goals in those outings.

Although predominantly a right-back, Foyth can also play in the centre and rather crucially on either side. Villa could utilise the 27-year-old as a left-sided centre-half in the absence of Pau Torres or possibly on the right if Ezri Konsa needs a rest during the busy schedule. Either way, much-needed depth would be added.

It’s understood more alternatives are on a shortlist but their names have not been disclosed.

Two Aston Villa significant additions already announced

Although the elephant in the room - the centre-back issue - is yet to be addressed, Villa have rather incredibly landed two blockbuster signings this deadline day.

Marcus Rashford was announced as a loan addition from Manchester United with an option to buy of £40 million this morning, while Marco Asensio has been unveiled as a Villan on a straight six-month loan deal from Paris Saint-Germain.

Rashford, 60 times an England international, has taken the number nine shirt at Villa Park. Asensio, who boasts a hat-trick of Champions League titles from his years at Real Madrid, has been given the 21 jersey.