BBC reporter drops big Aston Villa transfer update that'll leave fans gutted - opinion

Aston Villa are still yet to make a bid for Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur with the January transfer window set to close on Monday.

According to BBC journalist Phil McNulty, Villa haven’t submitted an offer for the Uruguayan midfielder after Sky Sports reported that a £20.5m bid from the Premier League outfit had been rejected by the Serie A giants.

McNulty tweeted: “Aston Villa have not made a bid for Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur. Villa made an inquiry two weeks ago but have not gone back since.”

Villa have already been subject to reports suggesting that Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur are planning a bid for midfielder Douglas Luiz with manager Steven Gerrard keen to add to his midfielder before the window shuts.

The 41-year-old has already seen midfielder Marvelous Nakamba suffer an injury that will keep him out until April and will therefore need to add numbers in the middle.

With Nakamba’s layoff and a potential exit for Luiz, Aston Villa could find themselves significantly desperate for a midfielder before Monday’s deadline.

The thought that the West Midlands outfit haven’t yet bid for Bentancur, despite strong links to the 24-year-old, will certainly be a concern for Villa fans.

The capture of the Uruguayan would certainly be a statement from the Birmingham club after the signings of Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona, Lucas Digne from Everton and Calum Chambers from Arsenal.

Having made 26 appearances already this season for the Italian side, Bentancur has certainly been in Juventus manager Max Allegri’s plans. However, a high enough bid could tempt the Old Lady to part ways with their midfielder.

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder currently averages 1.4 interceptions and 1.7