---
title: "Aston Villa interested in Oriol Romeu"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-interested-in-oriol-romeu/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Aston Villa"
published: "2021-06-24T17:17:16Z"
modified: "2021-06-24T17:17:16Z"
---

# Aston Villa interested in Oriol Romeu

**Aston Villa are admirers of Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu, according to [John Percy of The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/06/22/transfer-notebook-wolves-west-ham-keen-move-burnleys-james-tarkowski/).**

### The Lowdown: Villa’s busy summer

Villa haven’t wasted any time in bringing in signings for the upcoming campaign.

[Emiliano Buendia joined in a club-record deal](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/june/Villa-confirm-club-record-Buendia-signing/), while [Ashley Young returned on a free transfer](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/june/Villa-announce-Ashley-Young-signing/).

They’ve also been linked to striker [Josh King](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-josh-king-transfer-20780636) and Southampton midfielder [James Ward-Prowse](https://www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-stepping-up-plan-to-lure-ward-prowse/) and have had an [offer turned down for Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe](https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1405161786006028290).

\[freshpress-quiz id=”359416″\]

### The Latest: Percy’s claim

Percy shared the news in [The Telegraph’s transfer notebook](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/06/22/transfer-notebook-wolves-west-ham-keen-move-burnleys-james-tarkowski/) on Tuesday evening, suggesting a defensive midfielder is seen as a vital position to strengthen.

Villa’s recruitment team and coaching staff admire Romeu, however, the Saints will be reluctant to sell the Spaniard, who still has [two years remaining on his St Mary’s deal](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/oriol-romeu/profil/spieler/66100).

Ralph Hasenhuttl described Romeu as an [‘unbelievable’ professional last year](https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/18789151.hasenhuttl-says-romeu-one-professional-guys-ever-seen/), and the holding midfielder has made [over 200 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/oriol-romeu/leistungsdaten/spieler/66100) for the club in his six-year stay.

\[freshpress-poll id=”361994″\]

### The Verdict: Another Smith Rowe scenario?

Villa are keen on Romeu, however, Southampton are reluctant to sell, so Johan Lange may have another Smith Rowe scenario on his hands.

[David Ornstein revealed that Villa had a £25m bid rejected by Arsenal for Smith Rowe earlier this month](https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1405161786006028290), with the Gunners having no interest in selling the 20-year-old.

Despite that, Villa refuse to be put off in their pursuit of the attacking midfielder and are [preparing a second bid for Smith Rowe](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-big-update-on-aston-villa-bid-to-sign-smith-rowe-as-new-offer-being-submitted/).

Who knows, they may have to make more than one bid for Romeu if they decide to firm up their interest, considering Southampton’s stance, but targeting a player with more than [200 Premier League appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/oriol-romeu/leistungsdaten/spieler/66100) to his name just goes to show once again the club’s ambition for the 2021/22 season.

***In other news: ‘Crown us champions’, ‘Massive’ – Many AVFC fans erupt at ‘tasty’ Percy claim, find out more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-transfer-rumours/aston-villa-fans-react-to-smith-rowe-latest/).***