Aston Villa to make move for Leeds United star Ethan Ampadu after Douglas Luiz transfer
Aston Villa have been told to make a move to sign Leeds United star Ethan Ampadu this summer after agreeing to sell Douglas Luiz by Sky Sports pundit Dougie Critchley.
Speaking in a clip posted to his personal X account (24 June), the pundit was discussing the news that Brazil international Luiz is closing in on a move to Juventus in a swap deal, while Ross Barkley is also set to join the club from Luton Town.
But when analysing the Villa Park squad Critchley admitted that he felt a more defensive option was needed, and suggested Ampadu should emerge as an option for around the £30million mark to convince the Whites to sell.
“I loved Ross Barkley last year at Luton, he had the eighth-lowest tackle success rate in Europe’s top-five leagues. The only Premier League player with a worse tackle success rate was Nicolas Jackson,” he said.
“Ross Barkley is not being signed understandably for his defensive assuredness. I think he’ll much more likely rotate with Tielemans or McGinn although McGinn does play the wide roles more effectively as well.
“I think they need a more defensive-minded midfielder, and having heard your suggestion earlier about Leeds, I don’t think Leeds fans will be delighted with me, but I think they should have a look at Ethan Ampadu. I really do.
“I think he’s a top player. The amount of experience he’s gained at this young age as well. He’s got 50 caps for Wales already, he’s played for Sheffield United in a relegation battle – that was a bit of a disaster. But he’s spent time in Italy with Venezia and Spezia.
“Last year with Leeds he was captaining them at points, he played the most minutes out of anyone in that squad, he’s a pretty impeccable passer, he can play centre-back as well as defensive midfield, and I think he’s got a huge future in the game.
“I really like his development. Yes, Leeds will be so determined to keep hold of him because you look at the quality coming down from the Premier League and the quality going up in Leicester, Ipswich, and Southampton, Leeds will be the stand-out favourites for the Championship next year. So they won’t want to lose such a key player.
“But if Villa come in with a £25-30million offer and Leeds only spent around £7million on him to sign him permanently from Chelsea last summer after all those loans, I think they’re going to have to look at that offer. With Leeds’ financial situation as well, Ethan Ampadu to Villa – I like it.”
Leeds United to sell Ethan Ampadu to Aston Villa?
The summer transfer window at Elland Road is going to be long and drawn out for fans, who know that there is a very real possibility that a lot of top players could be heading out of the exit door.
Crysencio Summerville is expected to move on from the club [The Athletic, 27 May], while interest has also emerged in the likes of Archie Gray [BILD, 24 June], Ilia Gruev [Sky Sports, 4 June], Georginio Rutter and Wilfried Gnonto [GiveMeSport, 18 June] also. since the season ended.
But Ampadu’s name has stayed out of those conversations for the most part, but it was only a matter of time before speculation began.
It wouldn’t be a surprise at all to see a club like Villa come in for the Wales star because of his versatility and quality, and if it’s a big offer then the club will surely have to look at it and consider it.
Leeds will be desperate to keep him at the club as they look for promotion back to the Premier League, but with such a long time to go in the window there are certainly nail-biting times ahead.
In other Leeds news, one Elland Road star has changed agents ahead of a potential summer move.
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