Aston Villa are pushing hard in the transfer market this summer, buoyed by their return to the Champions League for next season.
The Birmingham club have identified left-wing as a key area in need of reinforcement and have been exploring several options to fill that role.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Ibrahim Mbaye had been among those on the shortlist, with talks held regarding a deal for the Senegal international.
However, Villa’s attention may now shift elsewhere, as they have entered the race to sign RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa, according to a report from Football Insider.
RB Leipzig are bracing themselves for bids for the Norwegian winger this summer, with multiple Premier League clubs circling the 21-year-old.
Crystal Palace have been heavily linked with a move, but have been told they must pay £43m if they want to get a deal over the line.
Newcastle United are also credited with an interest in Nusa, making this a competitive three-way battle from the Premier League alone.
Villa’s pursuit of a new left-winger comes amid reports that Arsenal are closing in on agreeing personal terms with Morgan Rogers, though a transfer fee is yet to be agreed, with Villa holding out for £130m.
Should Rogers depart for that sum, it would free up significant funds for Unai Emery’s side to invest in multiple positions, including a replacement on the left flank.
Nusa has already earned 29 caps for Norway at just 21 years of age, scoring nine international goals, illustrating how highly regarded he is at such a young age.
Last season, the forward registered four goals and three assists across 31 Bundesliga appearances for RB Leipzig, contributing consistently throughout the campaign.
His dribbling numbers were particularly impressive, averaging 3.0 successful dribbles per 90 minutes, the highest figure in the entire RB Leipzig squad.
For context, Jadon Sancho’s average of 1.6 successful dribbles per 90 was Villa’s highest in the Premier League last season, highlighting the upgrade Nusa could represent.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has described Nusa as an “incredibly exciting player,” a glowing endorsement that underlines the youngster’s considerable reputation across European football.
His versatility is another appealing factor, as Nusa is capable of playing on either flank and could challenge Emiliano Buendia and John McGinn for a place in Villa’s starting eleven.
Nusa also scored for Norway in their 2-1 round of 32 victory against the Ivory Coast at the World Cup, demonstrating his ability to perform on the biggest stages.
Villa have only spent over £40m on a signing twice in their history, so committing to the £43m asking price would represent a significant statement of intent.
With Champions League football on offer at Villa Park next season, Emery’s side should be an attractive destination for a player of Nusa’s considerable ambition and profile.