05 May 2023 , 18:07
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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is interested in signing Barcelona winger Ferran Torres and Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic this summer.
The latter name is familiar to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, as Vlahovic, 23, rejected a move to the Emirates in January 2022. The Serbia international joined Juventus instead but has struggled for goals this season, finding the net just nine times in 24 Serie A outings.
Torres, meanwhile, has failed to nail down a spot at Barcelona since leaving Manchester City in January 2022. The Spain international, also 23, has scored only four LaLiga goals this season. Yet it's unclear if either player would be interested in a move to Villa Park.
As reported by The Telegraph, Emery is planning an audacious double swoop for Torres and Vlahovic in the upcoming window. It's believed Torres is happy to stay at Barcelona and fight for his place, with Xavi's side 13 points clear at the top of the LaLiga table.
Villa have shown plenty of ambition since they were promoted to the Premier League four years ago. The former European champions have brought in the likes of Emiliano Martinez, Douglas Luiz, Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne since the summer of 2019.
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Villa appointed Steven Gerrard as manager in November 2021, but he was sacked just 11 months later after failing to guide them towards European qualification. Emery was then brought to Villa Park six months ago and has made an immediate impact.
Dusan Vlahovic has struggled to find his best form at Juventus (Getty Images)
Ferran Torres is battling for minutes at Barcelona (Getty Images)Do you think Aston Villa have any chance of signing Ferran Torres or Dusan Vlahovic? Let us know in the comments below!
Emery has dragged Villa up to eighth in the Premier League table, just five points behind Liverpool in fifth. They now have a great chance of qualifying for Europe for the first time in 13 years, although Brighton and Tottenham may have something to say about that.
Villa's ambition is evident from the incoming arrival of Mateu Alemany. Barcelona's director of football is on the verge of swapping the Camp Nou for Villa Park.
Emery will be keen to manage in Europe again. He is renowned for his continental record after winning the Europa League four times with Sevilla (three) and Villarreal (once). He also reached the 2019 Europa League final with Arsenal, losing 4-1 to Chelsea.
Signing either Vlahovic or Torres would be a coup for Villa. Vlahovic was prolific during his final 18 months at Fiorentina, scoring 38 goals in just 58 Serie A games. He's previously been compared to Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez due to his physicality up front.
Arsenal boss Arteta was keen to bring Vlahovic to the Emirates in January 2022, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang about to leave for Barcelona. Yet a move never materialised, with the Gunners manager signing Gabriel Jesus from Man City six months later.
Speaking of Man City, Torres joined Pep Guardiola's side during the summer of 2020 but failed to impress at the Etihad. Yet he remains a highly-rated player with 15 goals in 35 senior appearances for Spain, with two of those coming at the World Cup in Qatar.
Villa are also believed to be after Kieran Tierney, who is being tipped to leave Arsenal this summer after falling behind Oleksandr Zinchenko in the pecking order. Yet Newcastle, who are set to qualify for the Champions League, are also after the 25-year-old.