Aston Villa 'make contact' over deal to sign Brazil World Cup star - journalist

Aston Villa are plotting an offer to sign Al Ahli defender Roger Ibanez after he stopped contract extension talks with the Saudi club.

Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri has claimed that Villa have made "repeated contact" with Ibanez's agents over a possible move.

The 27-year-old was recently a part of Brazil's squad for the 2026 World Cup, as he featured off the bench in their tournament opener against Morocco.

Ibanez has spent three seasons with the Saudi Pro League side and earned a reputation as one of the best centre-backs on the continent.

He has helped Al Ahli win back-to-back AFC Champions League titles in the last two seasons, while featuring 46 times across all competitions in each campaign.

Unai Emery is keen on bolstering his centre-back ranks this month, having only focused on midfield and attacking signings so far this summer.

Roger Ibanez's career so far as Aston Villa eye move

Ibanez only started playing football at an academy at the age of 18 in 2016, and he had signed for Brazilian giants Fluminense within a year.

He became a regular in their first team over the next two seasons, earning a move to Italian side Atalanta in January 2019.

The centre-back struggled for game time there until making another permanent move to Roma in January 2020, where he soon became a key player and helped them win the Conference League in 2022.

Ibanez has been an important player for Al Ahli since leaving Roma in 2023, but has just one year left on his contract and is now stalling over signing a new deal.

Villa are yet to submit a concrete offer for his services, but a move looks possible as they register their interest with his representatives.

Could Ezri Konsa leave Villa as Ibanez swoop is eyed?

Emery still has the likes of Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Pau Torres and Victor Lindelof at his disposal in the centre of defence, but the former has been linked with a move away this summer.

Arsenal are believed to be keen on his services, with Mikel Arteta looking to add depth to his backline while they search for Champions League success.

Sources have revealed to Football Insider that Villa want in excess of £50m to sell Konsa to the Gunners.

The Villans are reportedly braced for an offer from Arsenal in the coming weeks, which is sure to test their resolve, as he has less than two years left on his contract.