Aston Villa plot bargain raid for 56-cap international star next summer

The Villans are said to be keeping tabs on the Uruguayan’s precarious situation in Italy.
Matias Falero Vecino of FC Internazionale.  (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)Matias Falero Vecino of FC Internazionale.  (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Matias Falero Vecino of FC Internazionale. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Aston Villa are plotting a move to bring Inter Milan midfielder Matias Vecino to the Premier League on a free transfer.

According a fresh report from Spanish language outlet Fichajes, Steven Gerrard’s men are keeping tabs on the 30-year-old, who looks set to run down his contract at the San Siro so that he can leave his current employers for free in the summer.

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It is understood that Vecino has become frustrated with a lack of playing time in Italy, and his intent on seeking a new challenge elsewhere come the end of the season.

Villa aren’t only club who are said to be monitoring his situation, however, with Napoli and Borussia Dortmund also in the running for his signature.

Who is Matias Vecino?

Vecino is a Uruguayan central midfielder with plenty of top level of experience under his belt.

As well as accruing 56 caps for his country, the 30-year-old has enjoyed a lengthy and largely successful stint in Serie A. Spells with Cagliari and Fiorentina convinced Inter to move for him in 2017, but things have been a little trickier for the South American in recent years.

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Lengthy injury absences and a subsequent drop in form have left Vecino on the periphery of manager Simone Inzaghi’s plans, and matters haven’t been helped by a stacked roster of midfield talent at the San Siro, with Marcelo Brozovic, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu and Stefano Sensi all above Vecino in the pecking order.

How likely are Villa to seal the deal?

Unless something drastic changes, Vecino looks almost certain to leave Inter in the summer.

In that respect, Villa definitely have a chance of snapping him up, but it won’t be easy – just look at the calibre of side they are being mentioned alongside. Both Napoli and Borussia Dortmund are stalwarts of the Champions League, with the Villans still very much on the cusp of their European qualification aspirations.

That being said, they have an ace in the hole, and his name is Steven Gerrard. Many will argue that the 41-year-old is still a relatively unproven entity in the dugout, even in spite of his Scottish Premiership title win with Rangers, but there’s no denying that he carries an aura and a potential pulling power by virtue of his illustrious playing career alone.

Will it be enough to lure Vecino and players of his ilk to Villa Park? Only time will tell…