According to a report by reputed Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Martin Payero is the subject of interest from Aston Villa. Monchi is the driving force behind the West Midlands club’s bid to sign the Udinese midfielder as the Villans look to bolster their midfield unit in the summer transfer window.
Martin Payero has come leaps and bounds since joining Udinese from Middlesbrough in September 2023. A native of Pascanas, the South American midfielder spent his formative years in Argentina and graduated from the youth division at CA Banfield. He moved to Europe in 2021 and spent two seasons with Middlesbrough.
The 26-year-old has gone from strength to strength at Udinese, although fitness issues have plagued him in the 2024/25 season. Payero has turned out over 50 times thus far for the Serie A club while chipping in with three goals and five assists. Meanwhile, the player’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe.
Napoli mulled over signing the Argentine midfielder in the winter transfer window before the deal failed to see the light of day. However, Aston Villa will aim to beat the competition to the 1998-born midfielder in the summer transfer window, with Monchi an admirer of his talent.
Aston Villa’s interest in Martin Payero is understandable. The Villans are scouring the market for a midfielder heading into the summer transfer window despite having a stacked midfield unit. The stance makes sense, considering Ross Barkley’s iffy fitness situation and Amadou Onana’s inconsistent form since joining Aston Villa last summer.
In addition, John McGinn is on the wrong side of 30. So, several candidates, including Oihan Sancet, have emerged on Aston Villa’s radar. However, Payero is also a viable target for the West Midlands club, with Monchi the driving force behind a possible summer move.
Alfredo Pedulla has not revealed whether Aston Villa will launch the offensive over a possible move for the 26-year-old Udinese midfielder in the summer transfer window. It will be interesting to see if the Villans firm up their interest by signing the 1998-born Argentine in the coming months.