Fabrizio Romano has confirmed a done deal that could have major implications for Aston Villa and Liverpool.

Atletico Madrid are one step away from completing their third signing of the summer in what can be seen as a big hint for the futures of Aston Villa and Liverpool players.

Atletico had already finalised the acquisition of Clement Lenglet from Barcelona on a permanent deal after a successful loan, while goalkeeper Juan Musso has joined from Atalanta. Those two deals have no bearing on Villa or Liverpool but their third and pending signing certainly does.

Transfer news specialist Fabrizio Romano reports Atletico have reached a full agreement to sign another Atalanta player and this time it’s left-back Matteo Ruggeri. Romano has issued his ‘here we go’ slogan to confirm the deal is done as a €20 million (£17m) package has been agreed and medical tests have been booked for the player.

Rather crucially, as Ruggeri is a left-back, that means Atletico are now unlikely to continue their pursuits of Villa’s Lucas Digne and Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson. The La Liga giants had reportedly registered an interest in signing Digne, whereas they were in advanced talks to sign Robertson at once stage.

Atletico signing Ruggeri doesn’t absolutely confirm Digne and Robertson will stay at Villa and Liverpool as other clubs could yet make approaches. It certainly reduces the chances of them leaving, though, as there’s now one less club in the picture.

What is Aston Villa’s plan for Lucas Digne?

Digne’s situation at Villa Park is rather complicated. Unai Emery wants to keep the France international as he believes he can continue to rotate effectively with fellow left-back Ian Maatsen, but the fact that he is entering the final year of his contract means this is the final opportunity for Villa to bag a transfer fee.

The Villans must make several significant sales before a deadline on June 30 to conform with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR). Sanctioning Digne’s exit would help that, but something would have to happen very quickly for it to happen before the turn of the English top flight’s financial year.

Digne could still depart even after the PSR deadline, however, as Villa are also struggling to meet the demands for UEFA’s squad cost rules. The regulations stipulate that clubs in the Europa League cannot spend more than 70 per cent of revenue on player costs. As Digne is one of the highest earners at Villa Park, his sale would really help.

Who else could leave Aston Villa?

There’s plenty to weigh up in regards to Digne but also plenty of other players. Emiliano Martinez and Leon Bailey are two regular first-team players who are the likeliest to go but their futures are still very much up in the air as the PSR deadline is now so close.

Both Martinez and Bailey looked emotional towards the end of last season as they appeared to accept their fates. Saudi Pro League clubs have been linked with Bailey but nothing has moved just yet, while Martinez has said no to a move to Saudi Arabia in favour of the likes of Manchester United or Atletico.

Another approach could be to sell fringe players such as Emiliano Buendia, Enzo Barrenechea, Leander Dendoncker and Louie Barry. Or, in a more unorthodox approach, Villa could turn to selling their women’s team to a sister company. All will become clear in the coming days.