According to a report by BILD, as relayed by Sport Witness, Valentin Atangana has garnered a market heading into the summer transfer window. Five clubs are vying for the Stade de Reims midfield sensation’s signature, including the Premier League duo of Aston Villa and West Ham United.
However, Aston Villa and West Ham will compete with Eintracht Frankfurt, Fiorentina, and Lazio in the race to secure the teenage midfield prospect’s services. The Bundesliga outfit may have an advantage in the battle to land the Reims prodigy, with the Ligue 1 club demanding around €10 million to part ways with him in the summer transfer window.
Valentin Atangana has established himself as one of the best young prospects in Ligue 1 since breaking into the first-team squad at Stade de Reims. A native of the Cameroonian city of Yaounde, the youngster has spent his formative years thus far in France, starting his youth career at FCF Neuvillette-Jamin before joining Reims in 2015.
The 19-year-old has come leaps and bounds at Stade de Reims and was a standout performer in a topsy-turvy season that ended in relegation from Ligue 1. The French youth international amassed nearly 3,500 minutes of game time across 41 appearances in all competitions while chipping in with a goal. The youngster’s progress has not gone unnoticed, alerting well-known clubs like Aston Villa and West Ham United.
Aston Villa’s interest in Valentin Atangana is understandable. The Villans are scouring the market for a midfielder heading into the summer transfer window, with Unai Emery demanding more options for the midfield unit. So, several candidates, including Yunus Musah, have emerged on Aston Villa’s radar, with Atangana also a viable target for the West Midlands outfit.
As for West Ham United, Carlos Soler will not return to the London Stadium after a mediocre loan stint in the 2024/25 season. In addition, Guido Rodriguez will likely leave the East London club after only one season. So, Atangana is an option worth considering for West Ham.
However, Aston Villa and West Ham face stiff competition from Eintracht Frankfurt, Fiorentina, and Lazio for Atangana’s signature, with the Bundesliga club having an advantage in the chase. Meanwhile, Reims will demand around €10 million to part ways with the 19-year-old French youth international.
