Aston Villa has set its sights on LaLiga Hypermotion to strengthen its midfield. By explicit request of Unai Emery, the Europa League champions have made moves for Dion Lopy, a Senegalese midfielder from Almería who is back in the spotlight after a weighty season with the red and white team.
The first English offensive has already been rejected. From the south of Andalusia, they point to an offer close to 18 million euros, insufficient for an Almería that does not want to sell below 25 million. The message to Villa Park is clear: if they want Lopy, they will have to dig deep into their pockets.
Emery wants muscle for the Champions
Aston Villa faces a crucial summer after a historic season. Unai Emery's team conquered the Europa League, finished high in the Premier League, and will compete in the next edition of the Champions, a competitive leap that requires strengthening several positions.
One of the priorities lies in the midfield. Emery wants more physicality, more endurance, and more ability to sustain highly demanding matches. In that context, Dion Lopy emerges as a very attractive option.
The Senegalese possesses qualities that fit perfectly in the Premier League. He is powerful, aggressive in duels, intense in pressure, and with an enormous capacity to cover the field. He is not a decorative midfielder but a impactful player, capable of providing balance and energy to a team that will have to compete every three days.
Emery is well-versed in the Spanish market and understands that there are players in the Second Division ready to make significant leaps. Lopy is not unknown. In the past, he drew attention from clubs like FC Barcelona or Bayer Leverkusen, confirming that his profile has been tracked by top-level entities for some time.
Almería stands firm at 25 million
Almería has no intention of giving away one of its most important assets. Lopy has a contract until 2029 and arrived from Stade de Reims in a significant operation for the Andalusian club's economy, making the club feel strong in negotiations.
The first offer from Aston Villa has not changed their stance. The 18 million put on the table has been rejected because the sporting direction believes the player's real value is well above that. The Power Horse Stadium does not envision a departure for less than 25 million.
The amount may seem high for a player competing in LaLiga Hypermotion, but Almería values three factors: age, contract, and projection. Lopy still has room for growth, is an international player with Senegal, and possesses physical attributes highly demanded in the English market.
Additionally, the club understands that the Premier League has the financial capacity to reach those figures. If Aston Villa wants to satisfy Emery, they will have to come much closer to the demands of Almería.

Lopy facing the biggest leap of his career
For Dion Lopy, Aston Villa's interest represents a huge opportunity. Moving from Almería to a Champions club in the Premier League would be a major leap, both in sporting and economic dimensions.
The Senegalese has been pivotal in the Almería project, but he knows that offers like this do not come every summer. Working under Emery's guidance, competing in England, and playing in the Champions League are very compelling arguments difficult to reject.
Meanwhile, Almería must carefully time their decisions. Selling for 25 million would be an extraordinary operation, allowing them to strengthen various positions, but it would also mean losing a differential player in their midfield.
Aston Villa already knows the price. The ball is now in their court. If they decide to increase the offer, the operation could accelerate in the coming days.
Lopy has become Emery's new desire and Almería knows they have a gem in their hands. The showdown has just begun, but all signs point to the Europa League champion needing to reach 25 million if they want to take the Senegalese to Villa Park.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Unai Emery quiere pescar en LaLiga Hypermotion