Published Aug 3, 2026, 2:42 PM GMT+1

Charlie is a football writer and assistant editor on FootballFanCast.com and has worked for the company for a number of years.

He began with Snack Media during his time at UCFB’s Etihad Campus, and after graduating in 2019, has held full-time roles on the Read Network and The Transfer Tavern.

Charlie has covered a variety of sports during his time with the company and has been a correspondent for football clubs both in England and Scotland.

Manzambi has arrived at Villa Park from Freiburg in a deal worth £59.5m, while Joao Gomes, Modou Keba Cisse and Alejandro Garnacho have also signed on the dotted line as Unai Emery continues to strengthen ahead of another Champions League campaign.

Despite those additions, Villa are still looking to reinforce their midfield options with Juventus’ Teun Koopmeiners, who is now emerging as Villa’s latest transfer target, but they face competition from Manchester United.

Aston Villa interested in Juventus midfielder Koopmeiners

According to reports from Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, Villa are among the clubs keen on star Koopmeiners, and the Serie A giants are prepared to listen to offers worth around €30m (£26m).

REUTERS/Eloisa Sanchez

Former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz has been catching the eye in pre-season, resulting in Koopmeiners dropping down the pecking order in Turin, despite appearing for the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup.

Juventus may even consider an initial loan with an obligation to buy for Koopmeiners, with Manchester United also eyeing up the player.

But what would Koopmeiners bring to the Midlands?

While naturally a central midfielder, Koopmeiners has shown with both the Netherlands and at club level that he is capable of operating in a hybrid role, drifting in from the right flank into central midfield to influence play.

After shining for the Netherlands in that position, Koopmeiners admitted he relishes the freedom the role gives him to drift in and affect games in multiple areas of the pitch.

That versatility could be a perfect fit for Emery. Koopmeiners' intelligence, passing range and ability to arrive late in the penalty area could make him an ideal option in that system, while also providing cover in several positions.

His versatility knows no bounds, as he has even made over 50 appearances as a centre-back, while he also has Champions League experience. Although he didn’t score or assist for Juventus in Serie A last season, he still featured prominently.

Negotiations are not yet advanced, but with Juventus open to a sale, Villa have been handed a genuine opportunity to land an “elegant, brilliant, creative” midfielder in the eyes of Luciano Spalletti who shares the same agent as Manzambi.