Yahoo News Aston Villa 'close' to beating Inter Milan to summer transfer
Aston Villa are reportedly leading the race to sign Mario Hermoso on a free transfer this summer.
The 28-year-old is set to depart Atletico Madrid at the end of this season after four years working under Diego Simeone. Hermoso is of interest to a number of clubs on the continent, including Inter Milan, but Villa are said to be closing in on the centre-back's signature.
Diarioi AS claim that Villa are now primed to press ahead and reach an agreement with Hermoso to make him their first summer signing.
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Hermoso won the La Liga title with Atletico in 2021 and has made a total of 169 appearances for the club, with 29 coming in the Champions League.
Villa are hoping to qualify for UEFA's elite club competition ahead of Tottenham this season having remained in the top four for the majority of the campaign.
Hermoso is a left-sided defender who could replace Clement Lenglet, who will return to Barcelona after his loan ends in the coming weeks. Tyrone Mings is also due back from injury in pre-season after he suffered an ACL injury on the opening day of this season.
Last summer, Villa wrapped up a deal to sign Youri Tielemans on a free transfer. The Belgian officially joined Villa on July 1 following the expiration of his contract with Leicester City.
