Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Thu 14 May 2026 11:06, UK

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Matias Soule is high up on Aston Villa’s list of targets ahead of the summer transfer window, with Unai Emery hoping to strengthen his attack.

The 23-year-old joined Roma from Juventus in 2024 and has enjoyed a strong season, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists across all competitions.

Villa have already conducted business with the Serie A side this season, sending Donyell Malen there in a deal worth around £21million in January.

The Dutchman has since exploded into life, scoring 14 goals in just 18 appearances since making the switch.

Villa transfer chiefs will hope that the way Roma have benefited from that move may well earn them a good footing in negotiations for Soule.

Matias Soule on training with footballing legends

Football Insider exclusively revealed this week that Villa want to sign Soule before the start of July, with Roma in need of sales to balance the books.

The 23-year-old began his career in Argentina, before he was spotted by the Juventus academy in 2020.

The Argentine did go on to make 21 senior appearances for the Italian giants, but earned his breakthrough after scoring 11 goals in a season on loan at Frosinone Calcio.

That convinced Roma to spend around £26m to sign Soule, and he has been a key part of the line-up in the years since.

Despite most often operating as an attacking midfielder for Gian Piero Gasperini this season, the 23-year-old is a natural right-winger but can also fill in as a shadow striker.

Having spent time with Argentina’s senior team and Juventus, Soule has trained with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

“I arrived later and when I entered the rooms he came out just to say hello,” he said of meeting the former Barcelona man in 2024. ” I said I wouldn’t wash my hand anymore.. I didn’t talk much, but you can see that he’s a good guy.”

On Ronaldo, Soule said: “I was surprised by how good a person he was. I didn’t know him, but I heard what was said about him. He is a genius.

“I remember that one day we went to eat and he sat next to me, I hadn’t spoken to him at all. They all left and he continued telling me things, about the cars he had, what Madrid was like…”

How much can Aston Villa expect to sign Soule for?

Villa will hope to take advantage of their strong relationship with Roma to agree a favourable fee for Soule this summer.

The 23-year-old is under contract until 2029, and transfer chiefs for the Italian club will expect a profit on the £26m they spent two years ago.

Gazzetta dello Sport reports this week that a deal worth around £35m may be enough to convince Roma to sanction the sale.

Considering Malen’s move the other way, Villa will have ultimately spent around £14m to sign Soule – a fine deal for a talented player.