Aston Villa submits £13.8m bid for long-term target Milot Rashica

Aston Villa are reported to have established contact and have submitted an opening £13.8m bid for long-term target Milot Rashica following Werder Bremen’s relegation from the Bundesliga.

Rashica, 24, was a player that Villa actively followed last summer. They made an enquiry in September while other clubs were also said to be keen. However, with Liverpool and RB Leipzig also being linked, the player opted to stay put.

At the time, it was claimed the Kosovo international did not fancy what was harshly perceived as a relegation scrap at Villa. Ironically, that’s what Rashica ended up with as Werder ultimately could not preserve their Bundesliga status.

Now, according to reports in Italy, there is likely to be a fire sale of stars from Bremen. And their prized asset Rashica is already proving a man in demand.

Indeed, Calciomercato claims Villa are already knocking on the door with regards a transfer. The Italian publication reports that Villa are ready to launch an opening €16m (£13.8m) bid for his services.

It’s claimed that Villa are hopeful the deal could be agreeable to Bremen too. While Rashica will likely be a man in demand, it is Villa who have made the first move. And should they be the only side to come forward with a concrete offer, they hope theirs will be the one bid accepted.

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A deal of €16m would mark some fall on the price Werder were seeking last season on the player. Indeed, Dean Smith’s side reportedly had a €25m (£21.5m) bid accepted last year by the club.

However, it remains to be seen if Rashica will accept the move at the second time of asking.