Aston Villa is reportedly targeting Boca Juniors midfielder Kevin Zenón for a January transfer, with the player already preparing for a potential move away from Argentina.
Journalist Jonathan Riniti from *El Crack Deportivo* has reported that Villa is now leading the chase to sign the 23-year-old, whose performances in Argentina have drawn significant interest.
Zenón has quickly emerged as one of Boca Juniors’ brightest young talents. Since debuting in 2021, he has made 39 appearances, recording four goals and seven assists. The attacking midfielder is part of a wave of promising Argentine players making their mark, many of whom have already moved to Europe. Zenón, a skilled and creative player, has been linked with a similar leap, with various Premier League clubs interested in his services.
Among the clubs previously linked to Zenón are Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and Brighton & Hove Albion. Brighton reportedly monitored him last year when pursuing another Boca talent, Valentin Barco. However, none of these clubs have taken serious steps towards signing him, potentially opening the door for Aston Villa to finalize a deal.
Riniti claims that Aston Villa’s interest in Zenón dates back to before the Olympics, suggesting that the club has been tracking his progress for some time. Villa is now allegedly considering an official offer to bring Zenón to the Premier League, with the hope of pairing him with his fellow Argentine, Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez. The connection to Martínez, Villa’s star goalkeeper, may give Villa an edge in convincing Zenón to choose Villa Park as his European destination.
Boca Juniors is expected to set a high price for Zenón despite his $15 million release clause. The club recently rejected an $18 million offer from a German club, signaling that they want at least $20 million for his transfer. Boca president Juan Román Riquelme appears determined to drive a hard bargain, likely hoping to maximize the financial benefit of losing one of their brightest stars.
While *El Crack Deportivo* has a reputation for speculative reporting, the link between Zenón and Aston Villa has gained attention, especially with the persistent references to Martínez, who recently won the Yashin Trophy. The speculation around Zenón’s potential move also coincides with Villa’s broader efforts to strengthen their squad as they push for European qualification under Unai Emery.
However, as with any transfer speculation, it’s wise to approach these reports with caution until there’s more concrete information. Riniti’s report suggests Villa is seriously considering Zenón as a January target, but the club has yet to confirm any bid or negotiations with Boca Juniors. Villa fans will likely watch with interest as the January window approaches, hoping for official updates on whether Zenón will join the club and add another layer of creativity to Emery’s midfield.
For now, Villa appears to have the advantage in the pursuit of Zenón, but with his potential and interest from other European clubs, the final outcome remains uncertain.