Aston Villa look set to land their second defensive reinforcement of the summer, with reports confirming the club has agreed a fee with Atletico Madrid for left-back Matteo Ruggeri, seeing off late interest from two Premier League rivals in the process.
What Happened
Villa and Atletico have reportedly settled on a package worth around €21 million for the 24-year-old, with Villa understood to be paying an initial fee of roughly €18 million plus performance-related add-ons. With the fee now agreed, the deal has moved into its final phase, with personal terms between the club and player currently being finalized. Ruggeri has already been left out of Atletico’s travelling squad for their pre-season tour of South Korea, a strong signal that his departure is close to being confirmed.
Why Villa Are Moving for Him
The driving force behind this signing is Lucas Digne’s expected departure, with the experienced French left-back reportedly closing in on a move to Paris Saint-Germain. That exit leaves manager Unai Emery short of a reliable, established option at left-back, and Ruggeri fits the profile Villa are looking for to fill that gap.
Standing at 6ft 2in, Ruggeri offers a different physical profile compared to Villa’s other options at the position, bringing height and positional discipline shaped by his development under coaches Gian Piero Gasperini at Atalanta and Diego Simeone at Atletico. His composure in possession, highlighted by an 88 percent passing accuracy in the Champions League last season, fits well with Emery’s preference for calm, controlled build-up play from his full-backs.
Fighting Off Rival Interest
This wasn’t a straightforward pursuit. Liverpool and Newcastle United both registered late interest in Ruggeri as his proposed move to Villa Park developed, while Juventus and Roma were also credited with interest earlier in the process. Despite that competition, all indications point toward Ruggeri completing a move to Villa Park rather than any of his other suitors, with reports suggesting he is likely to give the transfer his approval in the near future.
The Value Angle
Atletico Madrid had reportedly valued Ruggeri at closer to €25 million earlier in the summer, meaning Villa’s agreed package represents a discount on that initial valuation. For a player entering his prime years, with Champions League experience and full seasons under two well-regarded coaches already behind him, that fee is being viewed as sensible business for Villa, especially given the reported competition from other big-spending clubs.
What This Means for Villa’s Squad
Adding a younger, more physically imposing option at left-back also lowers the average age of Villa’s defensive unit while giving Emery a fresh tactical option as the club prepares for a return to European competition. Ruggeri’s versatility and calmness under pressure are expected to slot into Villa’s defensive structure with a smaller adjustment period than many new arrivals typically face.
What Happens Next
With the fee already agreed, the final step is completing personal terms and a medical before the move can be formally announced. Given how close reports suggest the deal is to completion, an official confirmation from Aston Villa could arrive within days, closing out one of the more competitive full-back chases of the summer transfer window.