MAASTRICHT - Zepiqueno Redmond of Feyenoord celebrates the 0-2 during the KNVB Beker match between MVV Maastricht and Feyenoord Rotterdam at Stadion de Geusselt on Dec. 17, 2024 in Maastricht, Netherlands. ANP MARCEL VAN HOORN (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
Aston Villa have opened discussions with Feyenoord for the services of young striker Zepiqueno Redmond, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The 18 year old has caught the eye with his performances this season, with clubs from the UK and Italy known to be circling the player.
Romano posted to his official X account, saying Villa are amongst several clubs interested in Redmond, who is considered a “striker with important potential.” Villa are believed to be leading the race at the moment.
The Netherlands U-19 international has impressed in his short debut season for Feyenoord. Rising through the youth academy, he made his first team debut in November of 2024 when he started in Feyernoord’s 4-1 win over Almere City in the Eredevisie.
A month later he bagged his first two professional goals, scoring a brace in a 2-1 win over MVV Maastricht in the KNVB Cup. In February he made his Champions League debut, starting against AC Milan in a 1-1 draw in their Champions League knockout phase play-off.
Villa leading race for rising star
He has just nine first team appearances, staring 4, but has shown glimpses of immense talent. Short cameos when called upon have put Redmond in the limelight as one to watch for the future.
Redmond is mainly a central striker, impressing with his pace, dribbling ability, and physical strength. He can also operate on the left, having impressed in left wing showings for Netherlands U17, U18, and U19.
The player is crucially a free agent this summer, having only signed his first professional deal three years ago in June of 2022. Seen as a youth prospect, his club’s plan for development was to continue to feature him in the Feyenoord youth setup before promoting him to the first team around this time.
The timeline was accelerated after injuries to key forwards Santiago Gimenez, Ayase Ueda, and Julian Carranza earlier in the season. Gimenez would then go on to join AC Milan in January, leaving an even bigger opportunity for Redmond to stake his claim.
Villa’s interest in the player has added fuel to the speculation that the club’s struggle with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) will rear its head this summer. Reports suggest Villa will have to sanction at least one big sale before June 30th to be in compliance with PSR.
Goalkeeper Emi Martinez and forward Leon Bailey are amongst the names linked with possible departures.
Villa notably sold young striker Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in January for a fee in the region of £64m. They used just £19m of that sum to then sign Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund, before securing loan signings of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio.
Retaining those two on permanent transfers seems unlikely at the moment, so securing a long term prospect in the shape of Redmond for free would represent good business.
Long serving striker Ollie Watkins looks set to be Villa’s only senior striker option when the summer window opens.
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