Aston Villa open talks to sign South American rising star wanted by Brighton

Aston Villa have started looking beyond the summer window, with their recruitment team already being linked with possible January deals.

Real Madrid forward Endrick is one of the more ambitious names to emerge this week, with the Brazilian struggling to force his way into José Mourinho’s plans and another loan move now being considered.

REUTERS/Sam Navarro

Reports in Spain suggest Villa are becoming an attractive option ahead of January.

Regular football would be the main appeal for Endrick, while the chance to remain in the Champions League could give Unai Emery an important advantage over Roma and former loan club Lyon.

Villa have also reportedly made contact regarding Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoumé.

Emery watched the Frenchman closely when Villa faced Sevilla in a friendly during the international break.

Agoumé is believed to have impressed, prompting a member of the Villa hierarchy to explore whether a future move could be possible.

Sevilla’s valuation is thought to begin at roughly £26 million, making any attempt to sign him an expensive one, while Arsenal and Man United have also been linked with the midfielder in recent years.

Those two stories show Villa are looking at players who could help Emery immediately, but their latest move concerns a talent being considered for much further into the future.

Aston Villa open discussions to sign Ecuadorian rising star Luis Fragozo

Reuters/Matthew Childs

Journalist Nicolas Ayala reports that Villa have made an approach for CS Emelec youngster Luis Fragozo.

The Premier League club are said to have contacted Emelec to discover what it would take to secure the 16-year-old, who has quickly earned a growing reputation in Ecuador.

Fragozo came through Emelec’s academy and was handed his senior debut when he was just 15.

He has also represented Ecuador at youth level and can operate across several positions on the left side. The teenager has mainly been used as a left wing back, although his attacking ability allows him to play further forward.

That flexibility is likely to appeal to Emery, who regularly asks his wide players to perform more than one role.

REUTERS/Gintare Karpaviciute

Brighton have already been credited with an interest in Fragozo and are well known for recruiting emerging South American players, but there is one major complication.

Fragozo cannot move to England until he turns 18 in April 2028.

Villa could still negotiate an agreement with Emelec in advance, but the teenager would need to remain outside the country until he is eligible to complete the switch.

No transfer fee has been mentioned and there is no indication that formal negotiations are advancing, but more European attention could also strengthen Emelec’s position and increase the eventual asking price.

REUTERS/Kemal Aslan

Even so, the approach offers another sign of Villa’s expanding recruitment plans.

Emery still needs players capable of improving his first team now, which explains the interest in Endrick and Agoumé, but Fragozo falls into a different category entirely.

He would be a patient investment, signed for what he might become rather than what he could offer any time soon.

Villa have apparently taken the first step, but Brighton’s presence means they may need to act decisively if they believe Fragozo can develop into a future Premier League player.