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Aston Villa confirm transfer of Alex Moreno as Spanish left-back completes £13m move from Real Betis to become first signing of Unai Emery’s reign
- Alex Moreno has signed for Aston Villa after passing a medical on Tuesday
- The 29-year-old is capable of operating as a left-back or a bit further forward.
- Unai Emery has strengthened the Villa team for the first time since he took office
Aston Villa have completed the £13m signing of Alex Moreno from Real Betis, with Unai Emery strengthening his squad for the first time since joining the club.
sports mail reported late Tuesday that Moreno had flown in for his medical before signing a three-and-a-half-year contract.
And after passing the medical examination, Villa confirmed this Wednesday that the Spanish left-back has become the first signing of Emery’s reign.
Aston Villa have completed the £13m signing of defender Alex Moreno from Real Betis
Unai Emery described Moreno as ‘one of the best left-backs in LaLiga’ in recent seasons
Emery said: ‘Alex is a good player who can help our squad. He has been one of the best left-backs in LaLiga for the last few seasons and we are delighted to have him here.”
It is currently unclear if Moreno will be considered for Villa’s Premier League clash with Leeds on Friday night, as his move is subject to international clearance and a successful visa application.
His arrival raises questions about the future of left-back Lucas Digne, who only joined in a £25m trade from Everton last year. Digne remains one of Villa’s top earners.
Emery identified Moreno as a priority target in January despite already having Digne and Ludwig Augustinsson at his disposal, while Ashley Young can also play at left-back.
The left-back has put pen and paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal at Villa Park
It is the first signing of Emery’s reign at Villa Park, with more arrivals expected in January
The defender turned down the chance to join Nottingham Forest last summer, but the presence of fellow Spaniard Emery at Villa convinced him to say goodbye to Betis.
He joins a Villa team that sits 11th in the Premier League after picking up four points from their last three games, three of which came from a shock 2-0 win at Tottenham.
Emery has won three and drawn one of his five league games in charge since the sacking of Steven Gerrard and after sacking Moreno, he too is desperate to bring in at least one wing attacker.
The former Arsenal boss is understood to be interested in former Everton and Watford player Gerard Deulofeu, who currently plays for Udinese.
Moreno spent three and a half years at Real Betis before completing his move to Villa