Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Croatian international Domagoj Vida, who currently plays for Turkey’s Besiktas.
The experienced centre-back is reportedly a target for the Premier League newcomers in the January transfer window.
As per TransferMarketWeb, the 2018 World Cup finalist could be subject to a bid of around €10 million by Villa in the winter transfer window.
Vida joined Besiktas from Dynamo Kyiv in 2018 on a free transfer and his current deal with the Turkish club expires only in 2022. The defender has made 75 appearances in two and a half seasons with his current club, scoring 6 times in the process.
He was one of the integral members of the Croatian national team which reached the final of the 2018 World Cup, eventually losing to France. He even scored in the World Cup against Russia in the quarter-final of the tournament.
Domagoj Vida the experience Aston Villa need
Aston Villa have had a tough first half of the Premier League. After a slew of poor results, they bounced back with a few wins, but have lost quite a few matches in the last month or so.
The Lions had invested heavily ahead of the Premier League this season after securing promotion via the playoffs.
Despite the heroics of Villa central defender Tyrone Mings, whose good form earned him an England call-up, the newly-promoted side have leaked goals consistently.
The Villans have kept just three clean sheets in their 17 Premier League games and have conceded 30 goals in 17 games in the league so far. That is the fourth-worst record in the league this season, just above the bottom three teams in terms of goals conceded.
With Mings’ injury, which will keep him out at least until the New Year or even more, Villa need a strong defender at the back.
Domagoj Vida would add more experience and leadership to the Villa backline. The 30-year-old is quick to make key interceptions and clearances from the backline, while also being decent in the air. He has also the composure and technique to pass it from the back, and has a 91.8% passing accuracy this season in the league.
The Croatian is also a threat from set-piece situations and can chip in with goals, but more importantly, he is a solid defender who could make Villa a meaner defensive outfit.