Aston Villa Reignite Interest In This Sevilla Defender: Why Emery Must Make The Call? | OneFootball

According to reports from Sevilla (via Orgullo de Nervion), Aston Villa continue to prioritise a move for Loic Bade, who is now open to experiencing a new challenge just over four months since rejecting the Villans. But they are not alone in the hunt, with Bayer Leverkusen also considering a summer swoop for the French centre-back.

The 25-year-old Sevilla ace made his senior international debut recently against Germany in the UEFA Nations League finals third-place play-off. He represented his nation last year in the Olympics, and despite Los Nervionenses’ catastrophic 17th-placed finish, Bade emerged as one of the prominent names for his resolute defending.

The Les Bleus star has been a journeyman so far, having spent his youth years with Antony Sports, Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris FC and Le Havre, respectively. After a spell for their reserves in the fourth tier, he eventually broke into Le Havre’s senior squad in 2020.

However, the defender decided not to extend his stay and instead joined top-flight outfit Lens in the summer on a Bosman. Rennes splashed €17m to tie him down a year later, but the lack of gametime, along with a failed loan stint at Nottingham Forest, led to a cut-price transfer to Sevilla.

SEVILLE, SPAIN – MARCH 30: Pablo Fornals of Real Betis attempts to control the ball whilst under pressure from Loic Bade and Oerjan Nyland of Sevilla FC during the LaLiga match between Real Betis Balompie and Sevilla FC at Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 30, 2025, in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)As

While he made no appearance for Forest, Bade revived his career upon joining the Spanish giants on loan in the second half of the 2022-23 season. They made the move permanent for €12m, and the Frenchman has since cemented a regular role in the heart of the backline.

A controversial final gameweek defeat against Manchester United has denied Aston Villa a Champions League berth. The club are under security for breaching PSR, and therefore, must be smart and shrewd in terms of summer business to comply with the regulations. A few high-profile exits could free up some funds, and the club might reignite interest in their winter target, with Axel Disasi unlikely to return to Villa Park after an underwhelming six-month loan from Chelsea.

Unai Emery and Monchi, who enjoyed success at Sevilla as manager and sporting director, are expected to range over their familiar territory. Signing Bade won’t be cheap, considering his current deal at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium is set to expire in June 2029.

Yet, the Villans must not give up the chase as they need reinforcements in deep defence amid Tyrone Mings’ persistent injury problems. They are highly reliant on Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres, and an unfinished business in the Premier League could see Bade opt for the English game.