Aston Villa in pole position to sign Barcelona target, Olabe pushing as star could leave

Aston Villa continue their chase for key targets as Unai Emery shapes their plans for the new season.

Several names have been linked with moves to Villa Park in recent weeks as the club look to strengthen multiple areas of the squad.

Roma attacker Matias Soule remains one player frequently mentioned in connection with Villa, and reports from Italy have suggested the Argentine is interested in testing himself in the Premier League.

Villa have also been repeatedly linked with Fulham winger Harry Wilson as they continue exploring opportunities to add more depth in wide areas, and the Welshman is set to be available for free as things stand.

Liverpool star Cody Gakpo is another player who has been mentioned, with contact reportedly made as Emery’s side cast their net in pursuit of new forwards.

While any move for the Dutch international would be complicated, it reflects the level of ambition Villa are trying to show.

At the back, Juventus defender Lloyd Kelly has emerged as a target too, with Italian news outlet Tuttojuve reporting Villa are among the frontrunners for the former Newcastle defender and Juventus are open to offers in the region of £30 million.

Meanwhile, the goalkeeping department remains an area attracting growing attention.

That is largely because uncertainty continues to surround Emiliano Martínez.

The Argentine World Cup star has been linked with a move away from Villa throughout the summer, with Juventus and Inter Milan both credited with interest.

However, it is Juve who are believed to be leading the chase, and a transfer could materialise quickly.

As a result, Villa have started assessing potential replacements, with Real Sociedad star Alex Remiro among their candidates.

Aston Villa ‘determined’ to move for Real Sociedad keeper Alex Remiro

According to reports from Spain, Aston Villa are currently viewed as the club showing the strongest interest in the experienced shot-stopper as they enter pole position for his signature.

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo suggests Villa are ‘determined’ to advance their pursuit of the keeper, and Remiro has been identified as a target by sporting director Roberto Olabe.

Olabe knows the goalkeeper’s qualities extremely well from his time in Spanish football, and that recommendation appears to have carried considerable weight behind the scenes.

Barcelona have also been credited with interest in the 31-year-old, but the Spanish giants are reportedly unwilling to meet the asking £13 million asking price attached to Remiro.

That situation has potentially opened the door for Villa to move into a stronger position.

With fewer financial obstacles standing in their way, the Premier League side could be well-placed to take advantage, and Remiro’s reputation has steadily grown over recent seasons.

Replacing a goalkeeper of Martinez’s stature would never be straightforward, and the World Cup winner has been a transformative signing since arriving at Villa Park and remains hugely popular among supporters.

Finding a successor capable of handling that responsibility is crucial.

Remiro appears to fit the profile Villa are searching for, and his asking price is very attainable.

However, they face competition from Crystal Palace and Newcastle, who are also believed to be in the running.