**Aston Villa Plot Move to Hijack £20m Bournemouth Transfer for France Star a Milos Kerkez Replacement**
*June 8, 2025 – Birmingham, UK* — In what is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing early moves of the summer transfer window, **Aston Villa** are reportedly attempting to **hijack Bournemouth’s £20 million move** for a rising France international, who has been identified as a potential long-term replacement for **Milos Kerkez** at left-back.
Multiple sources close to both clubs have confirmed that Villa are in **advanced discussions** with the player’s representatives, despite AFC Bournemouth previously being in pole position to secure the deal. The player in question — whose identity remains under wraps for contractual reasons, but is believed to be a **young France international left-back with Ligue 1 pedigree** — has been courted by several Premier League sides in recent months, including West Ham and Brighton.
However, it’s Aston Villa — fresh off securing another top-six Premier League finish under Unai Emery — who now appear to be aggressively pushing into the lead, with a concrete offer submitted and talks at “an advanced and optimistic stage,” according to insiders at Bodymoor Heath.
### The Kerkez Situation: Uncertainty Spurs Movement
The move comes amidst growing uncertainty surrounding the future of **Milos Kerkez**, the Hungarian left-back who joined Villa from AZ Alkmaar in 2024. While Kerkez impressed in his first season in the Premier League with dynamic forward runs and defensive energy, sources suggest that Villa are **open to offers** for the 21-year-old due to tactical restructuring and potential interest from clubs in Italy and Germany.
Unai Emery is believed to prefer a more defensively disciplined full-back as he reshapes the squad for another European campaign — possibly in the Champions League or Europa League depending on UEFA final confirmations. As such, the club has prioritized the signing of a **more experienced and tactically astute defender** who can handle both domestic and continental responsibilities.
### Bournemouth Caught Off Guard
Bournemouth had been leading the chase for the French star, having scouted him extensively over the past two seasons and reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with his current club in France. The £20 million figure had been broadly accepted, and a medical was even scheduled for the player next week.
But according to Sky Sports and French outlet *L’Équipe*, Aston Villa’s late intervention — buoyed by the club’s stronger European status, financial muscle, and Unai Emery’s proven track record with developing talent — has prompted the player’s representatives to **pause all agreements with Bournemouth** and reconsider their options.
> “Villa are not just coming in with more money — they’re offering a clearer vision, European football, and a manager with serious credentials,” a source close to the negotiations said.
> “Bournemouth did everything right, but sometimes when a bigger club steps in, the entire situation changes overnight.”
### Who is the Mystery France Star?
While neither club has publicly confirmed the identity of the player, several hints suggest the target could be **Adrien Truffert** of Rennes or **Bradley Locko** of Brest — both highly rated French left-backs with international youth experience and a growing reputation in Ligue 1. Truffert in particular has drawn attention for his attacking thrust and maturity, having already made appearances with the senior French national team.
Both players are valued in the £18–22 million range and fit Villa’s recruitment profile: young, technically adept, and tactically versatile.
### Villa’s Summer Ambitions
This latest move signals a bold start to the summer for Aston Villa, who are preparing for one of the most important transfer windows in the club’s recent history. With Unai Emery keen to bolster his squad for another run at European qualification — and possibly even challenge for a domestic trophy — Villa are expected to be **one of the most active clubs** in the window.
In addition to targeting a left-back, Villa are also pursuing a **central midfielder**, a **backup striker**, and potentially a new **goalkeeper** to compete with Emiliano Martínez, who has drawn tentative interest from Saudi Pro League clubs.
The club’s owners, NSWE, remain fully committed to backing Emery in the market, especially after the manager’s remarkable turnaround of Villa’s fortunes since taking over in late 2022.
### What’s Next?
With Bournemouth now scrambling to hold onto their deal and Villa pushing hard behind the scenes, the next 72 hours will be crucial. Should Villa succeed in hijacking the move, it would mark a **statement of intent** for a club that’s no longer content with merely competing — they want to win.
For Bournemouth, it could be a bitter blow in what was seen as a calculated move to strengthen their backline following Lloyd Kelly’s departure. They may now be forced to revisit secondary targets — or negotiate directly with Villa for Kerkez, should he be made available.
Either way, Aston Villa’s interest has blown the door wide open — and the race for one of France’s most promising full-backs is now officially back on.
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