Aston Villa send Brais Mendez enquiry as Unai Emery eyes swoop for La Liga playmaker

Aston Villa have asked about the availability of Brais Mendez as Unai Emery weighs up a summer move for the Real Sociedad star. Able to play in attacking midfield or out wide, the 27-year-old has over 200 La Liga appearances to his name and four caps for Spain.

An impressive haul of 11 goal contributions in 32 league games last campaign has sparked a wave of interest in Mendez. Express Sport understands that Villa are the latest club to make contact with his entourage and gauge the possibility of a Sociedad exit.

Manchester United have also expressed an interest in the player, along with Serie A sides AS Roma and Juventus. Mendez’s contract in San Sebastian runs until the summer of 2028.

And while Sociedad are keen to keep hold of the player, they would not be expected to stand in his way if the right offer arrived later in the summer. Mendez signed a six-year deal upon ditching Celta Vigo for the Basque club in 2022, going on to score 19 goals in 91 games.

He previously spent five top-flight seasons in Celta’s first team, which he broke into at the age of 20. Emery already has a solid track record of bringing La Liga talent to Villa Park, and he could look to exercise his pulling power this summer after qualifying for the Champions League.

Alex Moreno has impressed fans with his performances at left-back, while Pau Torres has adapted well to Premier League life in central defence.

Villa have been busier than most so far this summer, but a move for Mendez would likely have to wait until after the Profit and Sustainability Rules deadline on June 30. Nevertheless, the West Midlands side are in talks to sign Lewis Dobbin from Everton, with Tim Iroegbunam heading in the other direction. An agreement of up to £40million has also been reached with Chelsea for Ian Maatsen, according to reports.

Meanwhile, academy product Omari Kellyman is seemingly bound for Chelsea, and striker Jhon Duran has also been the subject of interest from Stamford Bridge.

The frenzy of activity comes after Emery called on Villa chiefs to be smart heading into the summer transfer window. “We have to be intelligent,” stated the Spaniard. “We must arrange the fair play rules and through that, build a new team but more or less we are not thinking of adding or signing a lot of players. We are trying to be intelligent and how we can improve the squad.

“Financially, being in the Champions League is better than not. But we have to manage and arrange the fair play at the beginning of this season.”