Aston Villa Explore Lucien Agoumé Transfer: Emery Eyes Sevilla Defensive Midfielder

Aston Villa are reported to have opened communication with Sevilla to explore the possibility of signing defensive midfielder Lucien Agoumé. The move comes after manager Unai Emery was personally impressed by the 24-year-old's performance in the Antonio Puerta Trophy friendly at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán some time ago.

According to a report by Spanish outlet Orgullo Biri, a senior Aston Villa official contacted Sevilla to inquire about Agoumé's situation. Although no formal offer has been made, Sevilla are said to be asking for a fee above £26 million to open negotiations. Agoumé's market value is estimated at £35 million, and his contract with Sevilla runs until 2028, putting the Andalusian club in a strong position to keep their player.

Villa's interest in Agoumé is not without reason. Midfield is an area that needs attention following Youri Tielemans' departure in the summer transfer window and the serious knee injury Amadou Onana suffered at the World Cup. Although they have brought in João Gomes from Wolves, and still have Boubacar Kamara, Lamare Bogarde, and Leon Goretzka, the packed schedule across several competitions demands greater squad depth.

Agoumé offers a profile that fits Emery's needs: physically strong, capable of winning the ball, and adept at distributing it forward. His ability to read the game and make quick transitions is an added value, especially since Villa often struggle against opponents' counterattacks. This season, he has become an important figure at Sevilla after turning down an offer from Saudi Arabia in the summer.

"Emery sees Agoumé as a player who can strengthen a key area of the team," the report wrote, citing an internal Villa source.

Even so, there is no indication yet that Agoumé intends to leave Spain or that Villa will soon submit an offer. The contact that took place was more of an initial exploration. However, with Onana still in a long recovery period and Villa competing in several competitions, Agoumé could become a serious target when the transfer window reopens.

For Sevilla, their position is fairly strong. Agoumé is still young, his contract is long, and his performances this season make his sale price likely to be high. Other clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester United are reported to have monitored the Inter Milan academy graduate, so Sevilla can use the situation to secure the best offer.

If this transfer materializes, Agoumé would be an important addition for Villa, who are trying to bounce back after a difficult start to the season. The 3-2 win over Tottenham before the international break is a positive signal, and Emery appears to want to ensure his midfield is more solid for the rest of the season. Whether Villa will move quickly in the next transfer window, or Sevilla will hold out for a high price, remains a question that will be answered in the coming months.