Aston Villa submit bid to sign £25.3m 'Raumdeuter' wanted by Liverpool and Brighton

Aston Villa have submitted a “concrete offer” to sign Hoffenheim attacker Maximilian Beier, according to a new and reputable report.

The Germany international, who scored 16 goals in 33 Bundesliga appearances last season, recently represented his nation at UEFA EURO 2024. He made just one appearance off the bench but he’s got the potential to become a key player in the future.

Sky Sport Germany reports both Villa and Chelsea have sent proposals to Beier. The Premier League rivals, battling one another directly, want to know the player’s intentions before activating his €30 million (£25.3 million) release clause.

It’s been claimed that a final decision will be made within the next 14 days, with Bayer Leverkusen also in the race. The Bundesliga champions are yet to reach an agreement with the player, so his services remain well and truly up for grabs.

Beier 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.

Beier was heavily linked with Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion in January. It awaits to be seen if either or both clubs will join the race to sign him.