Aston Villa is on the verge of securing Matteo Ruggeri, the Atletico Madrid defender, as they aim to bolster their left-back options.

The 24-year-old is expected to make his move to Villa Park after spending just one season with Atletico Madrid. This transfer comes on the heels of Lucas Digne’s departure, who recently completed an £8.5 million return to Paris St-Germain. Digne may even face his former club in the upcoming Super Cup in Salzburg on Wednesday.

Manager Unai Emery is keen to claim his first Super Cup title, having previously lost in three finals. Villa's strategy this summer has focused on enhancing their left-back position, seeking players with greater physicality. Besides Ruggeri, they have also shown interest in Pervis Estupinan from AC Milan, a player with whom Emery has prior experience from his time at Villarreal.

As for Ruggeri, he had a notable season with Atletico, making 47 appearances after joining from Atalanta last summer. He played a pivotal role in helping the team secure a fourth-place finish in La Liga and reach the Copa del Rey final, where they lost on penalties to Real Sociedad.

Ruggeri's previous accolades include winning the Europa League with Atalanta in 2024, where he was also recognized in the competition's team of the season. Despite his success at the club level, he has yet to make his debut for the Italy national team, having received his first senior call-up in March 2025.