Aston Villa have now been given the green light to sign Celta Vigo midfielder Ilaix Moriba for £25m, with Unai Emery keen to bolster his options in the middle of the park.
Moriba is a La Masia graduate, and the former Barcelona man has expressed his regret about leaving his boyhood club, saying: “I made a mistake leaving Barca. I was very young and had a lot of pressure. For a moment I thought it was all over. Luckily now I’m happy at Celta.”
However, it is no surprise the central midfielder is now settled at Celta Vigo, having established himself as a key player for the Spanish side over the past two seasons, missing just two La Liga matches last term.
Scout Antonio Mango is a keen admirer of the 23-year-old too, lauding him as “incredible”, while Emery is known to have been a big fan for quite some time, with a new midfielder perhaps required this summer, given the uncertainty surrounding Youri Tielemans’ future.
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
Ahead of a return to the Champions League next season, Aston Villa could do with strengthening their midfield, not least because Emery was left very light on options at times during the 2025-26 campaign. During the latter stages of the season, the likes of Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana and John McGinn all spent time on the treatment table, which could have had an impact on the Villans’ Champions League push. |
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Finances |
£25m should be an affordable fee for Villa, given that Champions League football has been secured, while the midfielder’s wages aren’t an issue either, which suggests a deal could be very possible. |
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Insight |
The African midfielder has 25 caps to his name for Guinea, while he has also remained a key player for Celta Vigo at club level, picking up two goals and three assists in 36 La Liga appearances last season. |
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Impact |
Having endured an injury crisis in midfield last season, Moriba’s arrival would help ensure Emery doesn’t suffer the same problem again. |
Aston Villa set sights on Ilaix Moriba with deal possible for £25m
According to reporter Alan Nixon (via Birmingham Live), Aston Villa have received the green light to sign the Barcelona academy graduate for £25m this summer, and his wage demands aren’t a problem.
Indeed, Celta are now prepared to cash-in on their star midfielder, which suggests the door could be open for a move to Villa Park.
Ilaix Moriba could provide Aston Villa with more defensive solidity
The 6 foot 1 midfielder primarily flourishes from a defensive point of view, averaging 3.1 tackles per 90 in La Liga, which was the highest number in the Celta Vigo squad, and more than any Villa player averaged in the Premier League.
With that in mind, Moriba could help keep things tight at the back for Emery’s side, but it will be interesting to see if he is capable of forcing his way into the manager’s plans from the off, given that the Spaniard already has a plethora of options in the middle of the park.
Emery regularly called upon the likes of Tielemans and Onana last season, with Kamara, McGinn and even Victor Lindelof also capable of doing jobs at the base of midfield.
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