Aston Villa Weighing Up A Summer Move For This La Liga Centre-back: Smart From Emery? | OneFootball

If a report from The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath is believed to be true, Aston Villa are considering a summer move for Enzo Boyomo. They are desperate to bolster the squad for the Champions League push, with the gaffer Unai Emery and sporting director Pablo Monchi exploring their contacts and connections in Spain to snap up several targets, including the Osasuna centre-back.

The 23-year-old French-born Cameroon international had a previous stint in England when he joined the academy ranks of Blackburn Rovers from his boyhood club Toulouse. But he left Ewood Park in the summer of 2020 after failing to agree on a contract extension. Boyomo then plied his trade in Spain and joined the second-tier side Albacete on a Bosman transfer. After three successful seasons with Queso Mecánico, he was roped in by Real Valladolid in July 2023.

The young defender was pivotal to Blanquivioletas’ top-flight promotion, and his resolute defending earned him a €5m transfer (with €500,000 add-on and a 10% sell-on clause) to Osasuna last summer. He is now a regular for the La Liga side with 32 appearances in the heart of the backline. Los Rojillos are pushing for a European berth, and the rise of Boyomo has arguably drawn the attention of the Aston Villa boss.

GETAFE, SPAIN – OCTOBER 05: Borja Mayoral of Getafe CF battles for possession with Enzo Boyomo of Club Atletico Osasuna during the LaLiga match between Getafe CF and CA Osasuna at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on October 05, 2024 in Getafe, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

The Villans are having a near-miss season despite early promises across competitions. A spirited performance went in vain when they suffered a 4–5 setback (on aggregate) against Paris St-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final. A dreadful FA Cup semifinal defeat against Crystal Palace ruined their hopes for silverware. Also, the chances of a Champions League spot hinge on the remaining four Premier League fixtures.

Why Aston Villa Must Tie Down Boyomo

While they have Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings, and Ezri Konsa among the central defensive options, Diego Carlos’ winter exit, along with the underwhelming loan stint of Axel Disasi, highlight the necessity of reinforcements. The latter could return to Chelsea by the closure of the current campaign.

Kortney Hause does not belong to Emery’s plans, and the summer signing Yeimar Mosquera is too young to attune to the grind and demands of the Premier League week in, week out. Mings, 32, has not featured a lot over the past two seasons due to persistent injury problems, and Boyomo, therefore, might secure the starting status for years to come if a move to Villa Park takes place in due time.

The centre-half holds all the traits to emerge as a value-for-money signing for his physical and aerial supremacy, and Villa, expected to generate funds from Emiliano Martinez and Leon Bailey’s potential Saudi switch, should not face financial constraints in triggering the reported €25m release clause before next season.