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Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa have been dealt a big early-season blow by a potential campaign-ending injury to £26million summer signing Diego Carlos.
The Brazilian, 29, had impressed during his home debut for the Villans against Everton last Saturday before he ruptured his Achilles tendon in the latter stages of the 2-1 win.
With one of their marquee arrivals out for the foreseeable future, the Midlands outfit are keen to bring another centre-back in before the transfer window closes.
The big-spending club may wish to reduce their outlay to hunt for a bargain, so we have picked out five names Gerrard could target.
Caglar Soyuncu (Leicester)
Experienced at Premier League level, Caglar Soyuncu could prove an inspired move if they can prise him away from Leicester.
Just a few years ago, the Turkish powerhouse was regarded as one of the English top flight’s meanest centre-backs.
But the arrival of Wesley Fofana at the King Power Stadium has limited the 26-year-old’s opportunities, and it seems manager Brendan Rodgers no longer trusts him as a regular starter.
The Northern Irish coach has deployed Daniel Amartey alongside the Frenchman and Jonny Evans in his back three so far this term, leaving Soyuncu’s future uncertain as he enters the final year of his contract.
That could allow Villa to make a cut-price move, but whether he is allowed to depart may depend on Fofana and his proposed Chelsea switch.
Victor Nelsson (Galatasaray)
Villa sporting director Johan Lange could turn to a familiar name to solve their defensive crisis in Denmark international Victor Nelsson, 23.
The Galatasaray ace was signed by the Villa chief in 2019 while at FC Copenhagen, with the defender making 87 appearances across two seasons for the Danish Superliga side.
He has made himself a fan favourite despite only one season in Turkey with the club’s director lauding him as their “Danish Lion”.
Despite his popularity, in-demand Nelsson has already been linked with the exit door and Lange could use his previous relationship to steal a march on the likes of Sevilla for his signature.
Duje Caleta-Car (Marseille)
The Midlands outfit have already raided Marseille this summer after bringing in midfielder Boubacar Kamara on a free, and now his former team-mate Duje Caleta-Car could join him at Villa Park.
An established Croatia international, Villa were said to be tracking the 25-year-old at the end of last season before opting to sign Carlos.
At 6ft 4in, he would certainly account for the physicality lost from the Brazilian’s injury and is an impressive passer of the ball — making him a fit for Gerrard’s preferred style of play.
Only three defenders in Ligue 1 completed more passes per 90 minutes last season than the Marseille man (72.81), while only two better his statistics for long passes completed (5.86 per 90).
The Ligue 1 outfit are said to be open to selling to a Premier League club but want to avoid a repeat of Kamara’s free departure by demanding a sizeable fee.
That looks unlikely for Villa after a big outlay for Carlos but with Caleta-Car’s contract expiring next summer and time running out for Marseille to sell, they could well pinch their second bargain deal from the French side.
Dan-Axel Zagadou (free agent)
An even cheaper option is Dan-Axel Zagadou, who is available for free after leaving Borussia Dortmund this summer.
Another imposing figure at the back, the 23-year-old had been tipped as the next star to emerge through Dortmund’s talent factory.
But repeated injuries have significantly stunted his progress, with the former France Under-21s international failing to complete more than 17 league appearances in the five senior campaigns of his career.
But when Zagadou was fit and on form, he was one of the Bundesliga’s finest defenders and reports indicate West Ham, Sevilla and a host of Serie A clubs are still thinking of making a move.
It remains to be seen whether replacing a sidelined defender with another injury-prone one would be the smartest idea for Gerrard and Co, but given he is available for free, there is less financial risk involved.
Jannik Vestergaard (Leicester)
Another Leicester player who currently finds himself out of favour is 30-year-old Jannik Vestergaard.
The Dane’s stock was high when he completed a move to the King Power last summer after an impressive three years marshalling Southampton’s defence.
His aerial ability and slick passing even drew comparisons with one of the Premier League’s best.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown told talkSPORT in January 2021: “It’s his passing. It reminds me of [Virgil] Van Dijk.
“I call it a stationary platform. When you don’t run with the ball you stop and when you look at those two, the way he pings balls, the way he threads things into midfield, the challenges, he’s a big man.”
It has not quite happened for him at his new club though as he made just 10 top-flight appearances last season.
With Vestergaard keen for playing time to boost his World Cup chances, a loan switch to Villa Park may suit all parties.
