Aston Villa exploring deal for teenage Spanish star
Villa are exploring a deal for Real Betis winger Jesus Rodriguez.
The highly-rated 19-year-old is among the targets under consideration this summer with Unai Emery keen to strengthen in wide areas.
Rodriguez, currently playing for Spain under-21s at the European Championships, enjoyed a breakthrough season in La Liga, scoring three goals in 31 appearances in all competitions.
Striking an agreement, however, would not be cheap with reports in Spain claiming Rodriguez has a release clause of nearly £30million in his contract, a figure which could be increased should Betis trigger an option to extend his deal.
Villa are in the market for a winger with Leon Bailey expected to leave the club this summer.
Talks over a move to Saudi Arabia are expected to gather pace once the Jamaica international has finished playing at the Gold Cup.
Rodriguez, who came off the bench in the second half of Betis’ Conference League defeat to Chelsea, has played primarily on the left wing to this point in his career.
Emery also wants to sign a right-back and a right-sided central defender this window.
Villa have been placed on alert after Loic Bade, who rejected a move to the Premier League in January, indicated he may be willing to leave Sevilla this summer.
A move for Axel Disasi, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Villa from Chelsea, can also not be ruled out at this stage.