Sports
Aston Villa could sign Juventus star with fans ‘alarmed’ after Pierre Kalulu news
A report today has claimed that Aston Villa interest in a Juventus star is ringing alarm bells among supporters in Turin, with Unai Emery‘s side eyeing a move for the player.
Aston Villa moving for Tammy Abraham after missing out on Gallagher
Villa have redirected their January recruitment efforts toward securing Tammy Abraham, following their unsuccessful pursuit of Conor Gallagher, who opted to join Tottenham instead.
Villa approached Atlético Madrid over Gallagher, wanting him on an initial loan deal with an option to buy, but the La Liga club weren’t keen unless it was an obligation to buy (Sky Sports).
Tottenham ultimately won the race for the England midfielder with a straight £34m permanent deal, leaving Emery to refocus his attention on strengthening different areas of the squad.
Aston Villa and Tottenham both approached Atlético about signing Gallagher, but talks headed firmly in the direction of Spurs (Sky Sports), who were long-term admirers of the midfielder.
Reports suggest that NSWE have engine room alternatives in mind, like Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika, who’s been subject to an approach from Villa and could cost just £12 million.
Former Chelsea star chooses Aston Villa as priority transfer in January
The Villans are his ‘first choice’ destination.
Villa’s reluctance to commit to an obligation-to-buy structure for Gallagher reflects their ongoing PSR constraints, which continue to limit their January spending power despite sitting third in the Premier League table.
That being said, The Midlands side are increasingly confident of securing a sensational return for Tammy Abraham, with club officials encouraged by the outcome of recent talks with the player’s camp (Ben Jacobs).
The 28-year-old represents a different profile to the box-to-box energy Gallagher would have provided, but addresses a more pressing need following Donyell Malen’s departure to Roma.
According to Ben Jacobs, Abraham is open to re-signing at Villa Park, and the Premier League title challengers are prepared to offer him a long-term contract as part of their January rebuild.
The striker’s willingness to return gives Villa significant encouragement that they can complete the deal despite the complex negotiations required with both Roma and Besiktas.
Away from Abraham and their pursuit of a new midfielder, reports from Italy now claim that they could look to reinforce their defence this year.
One of the targets, according to Calciomercato.it, is Juventus star Pierre Kalulu.
Aston Villa eyeing 2026 move for Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu
The former AC Milan defender, who won a Scudetto with the Rossoneri in 2022, has enjoyed a renaissance at Juve this season and is currently one of their standout performers.
Villa are apparently eyeing a move for Kalulu, and this news from the ‘last few hours’ is apparently ‘alarming’ Juve fans who’ve taken a real liking to the Frenchman.
Luckily for the Old Lady, any move from Emery’s side is believed to be planned for the summer, so they can at least enjoy around six more months of the 25-year-old before his potential Premier League switch.
He’s also attracting attention from Tottenham and Man United, so Villa aren’t alone in the race, with this report claiming he’ll cost an affordable £26 million too.
Kalulu has notable leadership qualities as well, with journalist Paolo Aghemo praising his contribution under Thiago Motta in late 2024.
“Thiago Motta will have to manage the space for alternatives and in particular, there in the middle of the defence Pierre Kalulu is emerging as a true leader, who is a player that Cristiano Giuntoli has focused on, together with the coach in the summer market,” Aghemo said.
“So Kalulu is increasingly a fixed point for this Juventus. He was stratospheric in some recoveries right in Leipzig to maintain the advantage gained by Juventus.”
The one-cap France international, who can play on the right-wing, at right-back or in the centre of defence, has made 27 appearances in all competitions this term, chalking up a goal and four assists prior to Juve’s clash at Cagliari this evening.
Aston Villa make approach to sign 24-year-old with Abraham after ‘serious injury’
The former Villans striker isn’t their only January target.
