Aston Villa Transfer news as stymied pursuit of Serie A Midfield Star is unveiled

The hope of Aston Villa to sign the Belgian midfielder Alexis Saelemaekers are fading according to reports.

Villa was unable to place a consistent midfield pairs at the start of the Premier League season, which contributes to a historically bad start to their 2025/26 campaign.

Saelemaekers was reportedly identified as a potential target in the summer transfer window, despite the effects of Villa’s financial limitations on their transfer company and his contract situation, which otherwise would have opened the door for a new approach,

The Belgian international is not a peripheral player at AC Milan. This season Saelemaekers has been a regular starter in front of Max Allegri and apparently comes closer to signing a contract extension.

There are conversations to keep the midfielder in San Siro after his current contract ends in the summer of 2027, with reports that suggest that he could match a new deal until 2029 with an option for another year.

That would be a fatal blow to the immediate hope, not only from Villa, but also from Juventus and Roma, the former club of Saelemaekers. Milan showed no tendency to sell him, to reject a hint of an approach in the summer, and the player is supposed to be arranged with the Rossoneri.

Positive development for Saelemaekers

The 26-year-old midfielder has benefited from his time at Milan and the management of the club of his development. He is considered a more complete player who has improved attacking and defensively, learning well from his earlier loans with Bologna and the Giallorossi.

Saelemaekers started at the start of the 2025/26 season with all Milan games in both Serie A and the Coppa Italia and registered his first target contribution with an assist in their most recent Home League match against Bologna.

Report by Corriere Dello Sport Indicates that he will continue his progress in Milan, where Allegri and sports director Igli Tare have expressed their wish to stay in the club after 2027.

“The former Roma and Bologna player is highly regarded by sports director Igli Tare and the coach, so much even that the two insist on contract renewal,” reports Antonio Vitiello.

“The Rossoneri is now planning to expand its contract for at least two years, to expand it until 2029 with an option for 2030 and also to adjust its financial position.

“In the coming days, contact is planned with the agents of the players whose contracts end within two years, to resume discussions about extensions and to work on the figures.”