Barcelona head European hunt for Aston Villa youth star
Three of Europe’s biggest clubs are keen to sign Aston Villa’s teenage winger Jaden Philogene-Bidace, according to reports.
Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund have all been linked with the 18-year-old star. The trio are said to be pondering a January move for the youngster.
That is despite the fact he has yet to play a senior game, according to Football Insider. Philogene-Bidace’s contract is due to expire in the summer and it seems he will not be short of suitors.
But the clubs involved may move before the window closes at the end of the month. Another German club said to be interested is RB Leipzig.
They have a recent history of signing English youngsters. Ademola Lookman, Emile Smith-Rowe, Ethan Ampadu and Oliver Burke have all played at Red Bull Arena. But the other three clubs dwarf Leipzig in comparison.
Although Philogene-Bidace has no senior experience, he has trained with the first team. He has been outstanding for the Under-18s and Under-23 side and looks primed for a big career.
The midfielder has scored five goals for the Under-23s and assisted two more. The starlet also scored a hat-trick for England Under-19s on his debut.
Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws claimed earlier this week that Club Brugge were watching him. Villa will doubtless try to keep him but will need to offer fresh terms sooner rather than later.
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Philogene-Bidace is said to be supremely confident in his own ability and someone who looks to get on the ball. That is a rare trait for someone so young and he looks set to burst onto the scene over the next 18 months.
Smith stoked with new signing
While rumours persist that Philogene-Bidace is on his way out, Morgan Sanson has arrived at Villa. The 26-year-old left Marseille to move to Villa Park, with the Villans paying in the region of £14m.
The midfielder has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal and manger Dean Smith was delighted.
“Morgan has performed consistently at the highest level in French football for a number of seasons as well as in this season’s Champions League,” he told the club’s official website. “He is a player with the quality and experience to play in any midfield position.
“He will add real competition for starting places and gives us more squad depth, which is vital to competing successfully in the Premier League.”