Aston Villa submit formal £48m bid to sign Como star Martin Baturina

Aston Villa have now submitted a formal bid for a “creative genius”, who could be brought in as a replacement for Morgan Rogers.

Villa could cash-in on Rogers due to financial pressures

Even though Villa are set to receive a cash injection, courtesy of qualifying for the Champions League, they may need to offload Rogers due to financial pressures, with Arsenal, Liverpool and both Manchester clubs monitoring developments.

The England international isn’t pushing for an exit, but there is a feeling it could be the right time for Unai Emery’s side to cash-in, in order to fund their own summer transfer business.

Signing a new forward is very much on the agenda, with the Villans most recently making an approach to sign Cody Gakpo, and Liverpool would be open to sanctioning a departure for the right price.

Real Sociedad star Ander Barrenetxea has also been touted as a player capable of Emery’s new Rogers, and the Europa League winners are prepared to pay a huge fee to get a deal done.

However, should the Spanish side be unwilling to let Barrenetxea leave, there is certainly no shortage of alternative targets, including a Serie A star.

Aston Villa make bid for “creative genius”

According to a report from Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Aston Villa have now submitted a formal bid of around €50m – €55m (£43m – £48m) for Como star Martin Baturina, but they may have to increase their offer.

The Italian side have knocked back the Villans’ initial approach, as it is way below their asking price of €80m (£69m), and they have little interest in offloading their key players, ahead of a Champions League campaign next season.

Como are only willing to cash-in on their top stars when they establish themselves at the top level, and Baturina is certainly among them, picking up eight goals and four assists in 34 matches in all competitions last season.

Scout Ben Mattinson has also been full of praise for the Croatian’s ability to create chances, saying: “Martin Baturina is one of the elite talents in world football who’s yet to be picked up by a team in the top 7 leagues. A creative genius with an eye for goal, the type of player every top team needs.”

The 23-year-old was also highly successful in his home country, winning seven trophies, including four league titles, during his time with Dinamo Zagreb.

Baturina will have another chance to put himself in the shop window when he takes part in the World Cup with Croatia, who take on England in their opening game, but a move seems unlikely, as he remains under contract until 2030, and Como are reluctant to sanction a sale.

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