Aston Villa battling four Premier League clubs to sign £25.3m ‘Raumdeuter’

Villa have reportedly expressed a concrete interest in TSG Hoffenheim centre-forward Maximilian Beier but face fierce competition from an array of Premier League rivals.

Sky Sport Germany reports Villa and Chelsea have “gathered information” from Hoffenheim about signing Beier in recent days, receiving confirmation of the player’s release clause. The 21-year-old is said to be available for just over €30 million (£25.3 million), representing sublime value in the current market.

Beier, who scored 16 goals in 33 Bundesliga appearances last season, is currently representing Germany at the 2024 UEFA European Championships. He’s made just one appearance off the bench but he’s got the potential to become a key player in the future.

The Hoffenheim star has been likened to Bayern Munich legend Thomas Müller as he plays a rare, roaming playmaker role - called the ‘Raumdeuter’ - while leading the line. “He can play on the flanks as well as centrally, he’s done it already,” German journalist Christian Falk told CaughtOffside.

“It’s a little bit like Thomas Muller in the sense that he’s not exactly a winger or central striker; he can also play behind the number nine, so he’s quite a versatile footballer,” Falk said.

Aston Villa receive boost in race for Max Beier

Unai Emery has been delighted by the news that Villa can now spend a little more freely as the Villans have now formalised enough sales to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations.

The £37.5 million signing of Ian Maatsen is expected to kick-start major business but Beier could be next, if Villa can shrug off rivals for the wonderkid’s signature. The German was heavily linked with Liverpool, Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest during the winter transfer window.