Aston Villa close to signing Atletico Madrid defender Matteo Ruggeri
Aston Villa are nearing an agreement to sign Atletico Madrid defender Matteo Ruggeri as they look to replace the recently departed Lucas Digne.
A deal for the 24-year-old left-back is progressing rapidly, and he is expected to arrive at Villa Park after just a single season in the Spanish capital.
The Midlands club have been actively looking to revamp their defensive options this summer with an emphasis on adding greater physicality.
Super Cup reunion looms against Paris St-Germain
The incoming defender will step in to fill the void left by Digne, who completed an £8.5m return to Paris St-Germain on Sunday.
In a twist of fate, the French full-back could immediately face his former employers when Villa meet PSG in Wednesday’s Super Cup clash in Salzburg.
Manager Unai Emery is desperate to lift his first Super Cup trophy, having suffered defeat in his three previous appearances in the final.
With the Italian transfer target yet to finalise his move, Ian Maatsen is currently slated to start at the Red Bull Arena in Austria.
European pedigree and international ambitions
The highly-rated full-back established himself as a key figure under Diego Simeone last term, making 47 appearances across all competitions.
During that campaign, his side secured a fourth-place finish in La Liga but suffered heartbreak in the Copa del Rey final after losing on penalties to Real Sociedad.
Prior to his stint in Spain, the defender lifted the Europa League with Atalanta in 2024 and earned a well-deserved spot in the competition’s team of the season.
His impressive continental performances led to a first senior call-up for the Azzurri in March 2025, although he remains uncapped at the international level.
Villa had previously shown interest in AC Milan’s Pervis Estupinan, a player Emery managed at Villarreal, before ultimately settling on the promising talent.