Aston Villa 'in talks with Juventus over Rodrigo Bentancur deal'

Aston Villa and Juventus are in talks over a January deal for Rodrigo Bentancur, according to a report.

The 24-year-old has struggled for consistent starts under Massimiliano Allegri this season, featuring from the first whistle on 12 occasions in the 2021-22 Serie A campaign.

Bentancur still has two-and-a-half years left to run on his Bianconeri contract, but Juve are thought to be open to a sale for the right price.

According to Sky Sports News, Villa boss Steven Gerrard views Bentancur as ideal competition for Douglas Luiz in the middle of the park, and negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing.

The report adds that Juventus could be tempted into a sale with an offer of £16m, with Villa already bringing in Lucas Digne and Philippe Coutinho this month.

Bentancur left Boca Juniors to sign for Juventus in 2017 and has now made 180 appearances for the Old Lady, winning three Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia crowns in Turin.