Ajax and Sevilla Show Interest in Aston Villa’s Dutch Midfield Prospect | OneFootball

Sevilla Target Aston Villa’s Lamare Bogarde Amid Midfield Crisis

With Sevilla FC still clinging to hopes of European qualification, Víctor Orta is wasting no time plotting for next season. The sporting director, known for his proactive planning, has placed Aston Villa’s Lamare Bogarde on his radar — and the interest is far from speculative. As Estadio Deportivo first revealed, Orta’s interest in the 21-year-old Dutch midfielder dates back to January during talks surrounding Loïc Badé’s transfer to the Premier League.

Midfield Struggles Prompt Early Scouting

Sevilla’s midfield has long been a concern. García Pimienta has persistently requested reinforcements since the summer — to no avail. The shortage forced Juanlu into an unfamiliar role, a patchwork solution emblematic of a squad stretched thin.

“With performances from Sow, Agoumé and Saul leaving much to be desired,” Estadio Deportivo writes, “and Sambi Lokonga likely returning to Arsenal unless the €12 million option is drastically reduced,” the need for a new central figure is urgent. The squad’s imbalance is now at risk of derailing their European ambitions.

Bogarde’s Stock on the Rise

Enter Lamare Bogarde, the versatile Dutch pivot, once seen as a promising academy graduate at Feyenoord and now a quietly rising figure at Villa Park. While not yet a household name, Bogarde is enjoying a breakthrough 2024–25 season under Unai Emery, making 18 appearances across all competitions — including five in the Premier League, three of them starts.

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“With a market value of €5 million,” Estadio Deportivo reports, “his contract expires in 2026, making him an attractive proposition for both Sevilla and Ajax.”

There is growing interest from Bogarde’s homeland as well. As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Ajax have taken a close look at the midfielder. And the player himself is well aware of the attention. “That’s right. There’s interest. They haven’t called me, but they have called my agent,” Bogarde told Algemeen Dagblad.

Ajax Interest Keeps Door Open

Ajax, still in transition following a tumultuous few seasons, have clearly taken note of Bogarde’s progress. It is a logical link — a Dutch club, a Dutch talent, and a potential return to Eredivisie football for a player already exposed to elite training in England.

“It’s fantastic that a big club like Ajax is interested in you,” Bogarde recently said to Voetbal International. “But I still have a contract with Aston Villa. More information about my future will be revealed soon. Right now, I’m happy at my club, and we’ll make a decision together. We’ll see.”

Those words strike a diplomatic chord — neither closing the door nor flinging it open. They reflect a player both grounded and ambitious, mindful of timing and opportunity.

An Uneven National Debut, But Experience Grows

Bogarde’s international progress has not come without setbacks. On debut for the Netherlands U21s, he was sent off in extra time after receiving a second yellow. Still, it was a moment of growth and exposure at the international level — and one that shows he is now operating on a broader stage.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

As a Villa supporter, this is exactly what you want to see — one of your own making strides in the first team, generating buzz abroad, and holding his own in conversations about Ajax and Sevilla. There’s a feeling of pride when European giants come sniffing around your prospects, and it also underscores the depth and scouting success Villa have built since Unai Emery’s arrival.

The most exciting thing? He’s not even close to his ceiling. With just three Premier League starts and already being watched by top-level clubs, it’s clear the upside is massive. Whether he stays or goes, Bogarde has shown he’s more than a squad filler — he’s a player whose intelligence, positioning and ball control are beginning to match his potential.

But there’s also a sense of inevitability. If Sevilla or Ajax make the right offer, and Villa can’t guarantee minutes, can we really blame him for moving on? It’s a good dilemma to have — and a sign that the Villa conveyor belt is beginning to produce players ready for Europe’s elite.