Aston Villa are preparing a new contract proposal for Lamare Bogarde after rejecting several approaches for the young midfielder during the summer transfer window.
Premier League clubs, including Ipswich Town and Brighton & Hove Albion, made proposals for Bogarde, but Villa turned down the approaches as manager Unai Emery remained keen to keep the player at the club.
The decision underlines Villa’s intention to retain Bogarde and continue his development within the squad, with the club now working on improved contract terms for the player following the interest he attracted during the summer.
Softfootball reported earlier that Aston Villa have also reached a verbal agreement to sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Southampton, with the defender now closing in on a return to the Premier League club.
Villa have agreed to pay £25 million for Harwood-Bellis, with a further £5 million available in add-ons, taking the potential value of the agreement to £30 million.
Harwood-Bellis has given the green light to the move, while personal terms are understood to be progressing smoothly. The remaining step is for the two clubs to exchange and complete the necessary documentation before the transfer can be formally finalised.
The expected arrival of Harwood-Bellis would provide Villa with another defensive option as Emery continues to shape his squad, while the decision to retain Bogarde shows that the club are also looking at the longer-term development of their existing players.
Villa have already been active in reshaping the squad this summer, including the departure of Ollie Watkins. The forward officially completed his move to Al-Hilal in a deal reportedly worth around £50 million plus add-ons.
With Harwood-Bellis nearing a return to Villa and Bogarde set for a new contract proposal, Aston Villa are continuing to balance immediate squad requirements with their plans to retain and develop young talent under Emery.
