Aston Villa boss Unai Emery. (Getty)
Aston Villa remain in the mix to sign Universidad de Chile and Chile international Dario Osorio, although they face some illustrious competition for the teenager, according to reports from Italy.
The Lowdown: Osorio linked with Villa
Unai Emery is no doubt looking at new signings to bolster his squad, as he looks to bring in players who are ideally suited to his system and playing style.
Osorio is one player who has been linked with a move to Villa Park recently, having already won three caps for Chile at the age of just 19.
It could be that the teenager is eyeing up a new challenge away from his homeland, and a new update suggests that Villa could well snap him up in the near future.
The Latest: Milan also eyeing Osorio
According to Sky Italia [via Sport Witness], AC Milan are rivalling Villa for Osorio’s signature, but the latter are providing ‘strong competition’.
It is stated that there is interest from the Premier League but ‘above all Aston Villa’, which appears to suggest that Emery and co are front-runners to sign him, with the report also stating that Milan ‘must be careful’ of the Villans.
The Verdict: Ideal long-term target
At 19, Osorio would clearly come in as a long-term acquisition at Villa, although he has already made a telling impact at senior level, having scored seven goals in 27 appearances for Universidad de Chile.
He would provide the attacking depth that Emery is currently lacking out wide, especially if Philippe Coutinho leaves this month, as has been mooted.
Planning for the future rather than just the present is imperative for Villa, and Osorio could be someone who matures into a future star at the club, with Universidad sporting director Manuel Mayo saying that the 19-year-old is a player who ‘shoots spectacularly‘.
Villa must be wary, though, that Milan could be an attractive destination for the teenager, given the club’s illustrious history as seven-time European champions and reigning Serie A title holders.
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