Aston Villa facing competition in pursuit of Stoke starlet
Villa face competition from Lille in their pursuit of Stoke starlet Sol Sidibe.
But they are not alone in their admiration for the midfielder, with Lille having also tracked his progress, according to reports in France.
Recruiting young talent is a central part of Villa’s long-term strategy with Netherlands under-19 international forward Zepiquendo Redmond having become their first signing of the transfer window earlier this month.
Redmond, who played twice in the Champions League for Feyenoord last season, arrived on a free transfer.
Another teenager, Turkish defender Yasin Ozcan, has also formally joined from Kasimpasa after the clubs struck an agreement during the January transfer window.
Villa are also among the clubs monitoring attacking midfielder Rodolfo Aloko, who currently plays in Croatia for NK Kustosija.
The 18-year-old was called up to the Benin national team last month and has caught the attention of several clubs across Europe.
Kustosija, who are gaining a reputation for being a hotbed of talent, having previously sold two players to Barcelona.
Stoke City transfer news: Mark Robins pleased, calm and far from finished
Mark Robins gives a transfer update as Stoke City prepare to fly to Spain for a pre-season training camp
Mark Robins is pleased with Stoke City’s start to their summer transfer business – and knows the importance of keeping that up to challenge in a rapidly evolving Championship.
Stoke have made three signings so far, bringing in winger Sorba Thomas and centre-back Maksym Talovierov on permanent deals and striker Divin Mubama on a long-term loan.
There have been 10 departures, mostly of fringe players, but the squad is a little light as they fly out to Spain for a six-day training camp, with just over four weeks until the start of the season and seven-and-a-half until deadline day.
Robins said: “They are working their socks off and we have to do it right, we can’t make any mistakes, we’ve got to make sure we get the right players in. We know we need more. What that number might end up being I don’t know.
