Aston Villa have joined Nottingham Forest in the race for a ‘breakout’ La Liga star, according to a recent report.

As the season begins to draw to a close, clubs have started to turn their attention toward the fast-approaching summer transfer window.

Villa currently reside in fourth place and look well-placed to secure a Champions League spot, as they sit seven points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who have played a game fewer.

Should they achieve that, it’d massively boost the transfer kitty and with that said, it seems they’ve already launched a bid for a goalkeeper.

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Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest launch bid for Alvaro Valles

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have both submitted bids in the region of £17.1m for UD Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles, according to Diario De Almeria.

Valles has enjoyed a productive season between the sticks for the La Liga outfit and has been one of the ‘breakout’ stars.

The 26-year-old has kept eight clean sheets and has shipped just 40 goals in 33 appearances, which is fewer than third-placed Barcelona.

Having gained promotion from Spain’s second tier last season, Valles has taken to life in the top flight seamlessly and is expected to draw a lot of interest in the summer, not just from the aforementioned clubs.

According to FBref data, he is of a similar profile to Liverpool’s Allison and Villa’s own Emiliano Martinez – which is perhaps why the West Midlanders are keen to sign him as an understudy.

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Goalkeeper isn’t a priority for Aston Villa

With Martinez the firm number one and excelling for Unai Emery’s side, it’s a little surprising that the club are eager to outlay quite a substantial amount of cash on someone who’d join as a back-up.

Though, perhaps with Champions League football on the horizon and the fixture list expected to be congested once again next term, Emery may feel he needs a number two that can play in all cup competitions.

That seems to be the trend in the modern game, as evinced by Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi.

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