Jose Mourinho eyeing £10m swoop for Aston Villa star, could prompt £16m Unai Emery approach

Fenerbahce are reportedly interested in signing Villa central defender Diego Carlos this January, with a potential loan-to-buy move being plotted by manager Jose Mourinho.

Sky Sports reported on Monday (January 6) that Fenerbahce had registered an interest in signing Carlos and would be pilling to pay €12 million (£10m) to secure his services. Villa were originally keen to sell the Brazilian in the summer but kept hold of him for depth, so they’d have to sign a replacement if he were to depart this month.

Turkish publication Fotomac has since claimed Fenerbahce are instead hoping to sign Carlos on an initial six-month loan deal with an option to buy for €8 million (£6.6m) at the end of it. That would of course be far less appealing to Villa than the initial fee touted, so there may have to be some compromising.

Carlos, now 31, arrived at Villa Park with great promise when he was signed from Sevilla for £26 million in 2022. Widely recognised as one of the best physical central defenders in Europe at the time, it was hoped Carlos would become one of Villa’s star players but he suffered a horrific injury on just his second appearance in claret and blue.

An innocent jump for the ball against Everton in August 2022 led to a painful nine-month recovery as Carlos landed awkwardly and ruptured his Achilles tendon. It was the worst injury of his career and it was such bad luck for Villa who had forked out so much to secure his services.

Since then, Carlos has been in and out of the starting XI under Unai Emery as he’s typically been behind Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres in the pecking order. It’s unclear if he’s even ahead of Tyrone Mings now that the former England international has returned from a long-term injury of his own.

Diego Carlos sale could pave way for £16m signing

If Villa do let Carlos go this January, they could use the cash to fund a move for Celta Vigo right-back Oscar Mingueza. Although not an out-and-out centre-back like Carlos, the Spaniard can play in the middle or at full-back. That versatility is just what Emery is after as he seeks to add depth and quality on the right side of defence.

Birmingham World understands Emery is currently considering a host of right-back options, all of whom are on a shortlist. Mingueza is one of those of interest but Villa are yet to decide whether to go forward and activate the player’s release clause of €20 million (£16.6m).

Recently called up to the Spain squad to play all 90 minutes in a 3-2 Nations League win over Switzerland, Mingueza rejoined the international setup for the first time since his debut in 2021. The 25-year-old has been in excellent form for Celta and he didn’t miss a single La Liga fixture last season.

Another candidate to be signed at right-back is Wesley from Flamengo. Two separate reports from Brazil last week indicated Villa had seen a first bid rebuffed for the 21-year-old but talks could reopen. Flamengo are said to be unwilling to sell the right-back as he’s one of their star assets but they could be tempted by a significant offer.