Aston Villa Eyes Romulo Cardoso as Watkins’ Successor
March 8th, 2026
(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Aston Villa, under the management of Unai Emery, has set its sights on signing Romulo Cardoso from RB Leipzig to fill the void left by Ollie Watkins.
The 24-year-old Brazilian forward has made a notable impact in the Bundesliga since his arrival last summer, capturing the attention of Villa. As reported by GiveMeSport, Emery views Cardoso as an ideal candidate to replace Watkins.
Aston Villa Pursues Romulo Cardoso
Cardoso has rapidly acclimatized to life in Germany, appearing in 21 league matches and helping his team with 11 goal involvements (7 goals and 4 assists). His ability to adapt seamlessly to the Bundesliga has solidified his reputation.
Aston Villa is keen on securing the Brazilian this summer as they seek to enhance their squad. After struggling in the Premier League title race, the club is focused on increasing its offensive options to secure a Champions League position.
Cardoso Expected to Replace Watkins at Villa Park
The club’s management has prioritized addressing their goal-scoring challenges, with Cardoso being a top target following his impressive displays for Leipzig. Known for his physicality and sharp scoring ability, he has emerged as a primary candidate to succeed Watkins, who is likely to leave this summer. The German club has set a price tag of €55-60 million for Cardoso, and it remains to be seen if Aston Villa can finalize a deal.
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