According to reports on L’Equipe, via GFFN, Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have opened talks with Aston Villa over a potential move for left-back Jordan Amavi.

What’s the word, then?

Well, according to The Mirror, Villa manager Steve Bruce has been told that he only has a budget of £1m to spend this summer as the Football League clamps down on Financial Fair Play regulations, and the former Hull City boss knows that he needs to sell players before he can buy.

He is ready to show up to 10 players the door, and one of those is understood to be Amavi after the left-sided player struggled for game time at the Championship outfit throughout the current campaign.

It is believed that a deal could be done for between £8.5m-£10m, which would certainly boost his budget as he looks to win automatic promotion back to the Premier League next term.

Didn’t Villa reject a bid for him recently?

They certainly did, and they could be regretting it now.

Owner Dr Tony Xia confirmed that he turned down a £25m offer for the 23-year-old from the Chinese Super League during the January transfer window, as he was still confident that the club would win promotion.

What’s gone wrong for Amavi?

Well, the Frenchman looked to be a great signing following some impressive performances at the start of the 2015/16 season after a summer move from Nice.

However, he soon ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and has struggled to win his place back in the team from Neil Taylor following a long road back to recovery.

Why are Atletico interested?

Diego Simeone’s men are set to lose Theo Hernandez to Real Madrid and need a new left-back, and they will remember the impressive performances Amavi put in for Nice prior to his move to England.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, while a move to Atletico Madrid would seem unlikely considering the circumstances, Bruce will be keen for the deal to go through as he clearly doesn’t want the player and could use the funds to bring in a player he does.

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