Aston Villa and Newcastle United ‘swooping in’ for bargain West Ham target

Aston Villa have reportedly initiated contact over a potential summer transfer swoop for Atletico Madrid centre-back Mario Hermoso – and the player is likely to move away from the Spanish capital.

The five-time Spain international, wanted by fellow Premier League sides Newcastle United and West Ham United, is out of contract at the end of this season. As Hermoso has played 31 times across La Liga and the Champions League this term, many would assume a renewal would be on the cards but an agreement isn’t even close.

HITC reports Villa, Newcastle and West Ham, all lurking in the background, have asked about the 28-year-old’s situation. There’s no wonder why Hermoso is in demand as he’s left-footed and versatile, capable of playing in the centre or as a full-back and fairly insusceptible to injuries. Getting such a player for free would be a no-brainer.

And to make the prospect of a summer transfer even stronger, Hermoso’s agent, Inaki Espizua, is already stirring the pot. “It’s not a given he will go and play elsewhere but when you sign a contract there must be a common project. And, at the moment, we are far from a renewal with Atletico Madrid,” Espizua told CN24TV.

“Mario wants to play in a major league. He doesn’t want to discard any options. He wants to play for important goals. We will evaluate any project that may come for the next few years, this is the player’s aspiration,” Hermoso’s representative continued.

An academy product of Real Madrid, the defender has played 177 times in La Liga throughout his career. There have been 28 appearances in the Champions League, too, with Hermoso a reliable presence for Atletico ever since signing from Espanyol for £22 million in 2019.