Aston Villa is reportedly close to completing a £20.5 million deal to sign defender Matteo Ruggeri from Atletico Madrid. The 24-year-old left-back, a former Italy Under-21 international, is expected to join Villa Park to replace Lucas Digne, who is on the verge of moving to Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of around £8 million.

Ruggeri joined Atletico Madrid from Atalanta just last summer but has faced challenges in consistently delivering his best performances during his time in Spain. Meanwhile, Atletico has moved to sign Alex Grimaldo as a potential replacement for Ruggeri, suggesting they are prepared to let the player leave.

While personal terms with Ruggeri have yet to be finalized, Aston Villa is optimistic about securing the transfer ahead of the ongoing summer window. The potential deal marks a significant investment by Villa as they look to strengthen their defensive options ahead of the new season.

The negotiations reflect both clubs' willingness to make changes in their squads, with Villa seeking to rejuvenate the left-back position following Digne's impending departure. The veteran defender's move to PSG would add further experience to the French club's back line, while Ruggeri's arrival would represent a younger alternative for the Premier League side.

As discussions continue, both clubs and the player will aim to finalize terms to complete the transfer in the coming days.