AZ Alkmaar lead the race to sign Aston Villa ace Lamare Bogarde – sources
AZ Alkmaar are leading the race to sign Aston Villa wonder Lamare Bogarde on loan this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The 20-year-old looks likely to move to the Dutch Eredivisie, with AZ now in pole position after registering their interest.
This comes after Football Insider broke the news last week that Villa are planning to loan Bogarde out next season after a successful spell with Bristol Rovers.
During his spell in League One, Bogarde made 36 appearances for Rovers before being called back to Villa Park in January.
Lamare Bogarde set for Eredivisie loan deal away from Aston Villa
Having come through the academy setup at Feyenoord before moving to Villa at age 16, a move back to the Netherlands makes sense as a natural progression in his career.
With just one senior appearance to his name in Villa colours, his spell at Bristol Rovers has set him up well to take the next steps in his development.
Despite interest from the likes of Southampton and Watford in January, as sources told Football Insider, his next loan deal looks to be a different challenge.
A talented player who is capable of performing both in defence and midfield, Bogarde catching the eye of top European clubs can only be a good thing.
A long-term deal signed in 2022 means his future beyond next season should remain at Villa Park, with the Eredivisie loan in place to hone his skills.
While he may not have burst onto the scene under Unai Emery in the way fellow academy graduate Jacob Ramsey has, Bogarde is still highly regarded by the club.
A loan to AZ Alkmaar should set him up well to return to the Midlands with plenty of top-division experience ready to take a shot at the first team.
In other news, a forgotten Liverpool man is set to play a “huge” role next season.
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