AC Milan 'in talks' with Aston Villa over £20m defender signing

AC Milan are reportedly interested in securing a deal for an Aston Villa defender during the early part of the summer transfer window.

With Stefano Pioli's five-year reign having come to an end, Milan are about to embark on a new era under a different head coach.

There is every expectation that Paulo Fonseca will be announced as Pioli's successor later this week, tasked with challenging neighbours Inter Milan for next season's Serie A title.

Naturally, Fonseca will want to make his own mark on the squad, and incomings and outgoings are anticipated at San Siro between now and the end of August.

Nevertheless, even without the 51-year-old officially at the helm, it appears that the Milan hierarchy are eager to get their business underway.

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AC Milan make move for Cash

According to talkSPORT, Milan have already made contact with Aston Villa regarding the potential addition of Matty Cash.

The right-sided player has been a regular fixture in Unai Emery's side when fit, making a total of 46 appearances in all competitions last season.

Furthermore, the 26-year-old has contributed nine goals and 10 assists from his 142 outings in a Villa shirt since his arrival in 2020.

However, while Cash still has three years remaining on his contract, Villa allegedly find themselves in a position where sales are required to meet the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.

That is despite Villa generating prize money from a fourth-placed finish in the table and securing a first-ever appearance in the Champions League.

Villa are already said to be in talks to part ways with Douglas Luiz, who could join Juventus with two players moving to the West Midlands in part-exchange.

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What price-tag has Cash been given?

Although Villa would naturally prefer to retain Cash's services, the report claims that he is valued in the region of £20m.

Whether Milan are prepared to pay that much money for the Poland international remains to be seen. Davide Calabria was the regular starter at right-back last season and is expected to remain first choice.

Something which may work in Cash's favour is having made an impression during the second leg of Villa's Europa Conference League quarter-final against Fonseca's Lille in April.

Cash scored the decisive goal that took the tie to extra time before netting in the penalty shootout that helped Villa see off the French side on away territory.