Aston Villa are keen to make a £15million move for Celta Vigo midfielder Ilaix Moriba this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Villans are currently considering their options when it comes to the 23-year-old, with Celta needing a big sale this summer to balance their PSR issues.
The Spanish side are looking to make a “big profit” on the starlet, as they only paid £5m to sign him from RB Leipzig last summer.
Celta have placed a £25m valuation on the Guinea international, but sources have indicated that Villa are only willing to pay between £10m and £15m at the moment.
Unai Emery’s side are still hopeful that a cut-price deal could be struck, with the lure of Champions League football on their side.
Moriba notched two goals and three assists in La Liga last term, as Celta secured qualification for the Europa League.
Ilaix Moriba ready for Premier League chance
Moriba has yet to truly realise his potential from his days as a highly-rated talent in Barcelona’s academy, but he has now begun to make significant progress.
His move to Leipzig didn’t work out, and after a trio of loan spells with Valencia (twice) and Getafe, he has now found a home at Celta Vigo.
He flourished in the middle of the park for Claudio Giraldez’s side last term, and even gained a taste of European action with 11 appearances in the Europa League.
Moriba has long since been tipped for a huge future in the game, and he is finally at the point where he is beginning to attract interest in the Premier League.
Villa have identified the youngster as a target to bolster their midfield ranks this summer, with the likes of Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana already providing a strong core in that area.
Moriba is starting to realise the potential that was laid out for him when he was emerging at Barcelona, and he could yet ply his trade at Villa Park next term.
Aston Villa plotting move for James Maddison
Former Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider earlier this week that his former club are eyeing up a move for Tottenham midfielder James Maddison this summer.
The attacking midfielder made three substitute appearances at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, having been sidelined with an ACL injury for the rest of the season.
Brown understands that Villa have been keeping an eye on the 29-year-old’s situation in North London, and believes that Roberto De Zerbi will let him leave if a replacement can be sourced.
Tottenham have now agreed an £85m fee for Mateus Fernandes, and are closing in on Sandro Tonali, which could make a move for Maddison a reality for Villa.
