Aston Villa have made contact with French side Reims over a potential move for midfielder Dion Lopy, according to reports.
What’s the latest on Aston Villa’s interest in Dion Lopy?
According to journalist Simon Jones in his transfer confidential newsletter for MailOnline, Villa have ‘checked on’ Lopy’s situation at Reims in recent weeks.
However, sporting director Johan Lange will have to fight off interest from Everton, who the newsletter suggests have also checked on the 21-year-old as they prepare to potentially lose Amadou Onana this summer.
Lopy is contracted to the Ligue 1 outfit until June 2026, and Transfermarkt values his price tag at €3m (£2.6m).
Why are Aston Villa interested in Dion Lopy?
Lopy, a product of Reims’ youth academy, rose through the ranks at the northeastern French club and represented their second team before being called up to the first eleven and making his Ligue 1 debut in the 2020/21 season.
The Senegalese gem has emerged as a key player for his club side in recent seasons, as well as being touted for an international debut after progressing well from the under-20s to the under-23s for his national team.
Known for his tenacity, work rate, and technical ability, Lopy has been a standout performer in midfield, helping his teammates achieve a solid mid-table position this season in Ligue 1.
He has featured in 23 of Reims’ 30 Ligue 1 games this season, and – as per FBref – ranks in the top 5% of blocks and 9% of tackles per 90 compared to his positional peers in the top five European men’s leagues over the past year.
FBref also ranks Villa captain John McGinn as the fourth most similar player statistically to Lopy – who was once hailed as “slick in possession” and a “press-resistant ball-winner” by journalist Zach Lowy, which shows Villa fans the type of player who could be joining their ranks and how he would fit into their system under manager Unai Emery.
What makes the Reims starlet an intriguing prospect for the Midlands outfit is his versatility.
He is capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, a box-to-box midfielder, or even in a more advanced attacking midfield role.
At only 21, he has many years to grow and develop and, at Villa, he would be working under a manager in Emery who has an impressive record of showing faith in and improving young players.
If Lange can secure Lopy’s services, he would be a long-term investment with the potential to become a key player for the club, forming part of a strong midfield with McGinn and Boubacar Kamara.