Atletico Madrid Have Opened Negotiations With Championship Player

It was reported in France that Aston Villa chairman Tony Xia rejected a £25 million bid for 23-year-old left-back Jordan Amavi back in December.

Plenty were shocked that Xia had rejected such a big offer for the French defender, with the Villa chairman insistent that the player was not for sale at any price.

He even took to Twitter just before the January transfer window opened to put an end to the ongoing speculation:

Months after Xia took to social media to play down reports,L'Équipe have reported that Atletico Madrid have opened talks with Championship outfit Aston Villa for French left-back Jordan Amavi,

L'Équipe also claimed back in 2016 that Liverpool representatives made contact with the 22-year-old's agent, but nothing materialised.

Amavi moved to Aston Villa in 2015 for £10 million, penning a five-year deal in the process but with preying eyes from top European clubs, it finally looks like the defender will move in the very near future.

The Champions League semi-finalists want Amavi to replace Theo Hernandez, who is on the verge of joining La Liga rivals Real Madrid.

Hernandez, who is currently on loan at Alavez, will announce his decision to join Los Blancos at the end of May, after the Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Alavés.

He has passed a medical.

Manchester City tried to complete a a double deal for Atletico Madrid brothers Lucas and Theo Hernandez last summer.

But Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin says the Champions League finalists blocked approaches from Guardiola and City to sign 20-year old central defender Lucas Hernandez and Theo.

Theo, who is a year younger and plays at left-back on loan at Alaves with Manchester City youngster Manu Garcia, was a huge target but Marin played down talks in 2016:

Speaking on El Transistor radio show in Spain, he said:

"City could afford to pay both clauses. But everyone - the club, the players, their mother and their agent - thought the best thing for them was to continue their growth at Atletico."

Theo

Amavi has also been linked with a move to Napoli, but it looks like Atletico will pip the Italian side to the signing of Aston Villa's left-back.

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Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_