Exclusive: Southampton and Fulham can land 'incredible' Euro 2024 ace under £10m with Emery also in race
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Premier League trio Aston Villa, Southampton and Fulham are all keen on Werder Bremen ace Romano Schmid with offers of less than £10 million potentially enough to bring about a Bundesliga departure.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
Four years after Aston Villa held talks to bring Milot Rashica to England – prior to the winger’s ill-fated £9.4 million move to Norwich City – the Midland giants are hot on the heels of another talented young attacker impressing in the green of Werder Bremen.
Romano Schmid, a key part of the Austria side which captured hearts at the European Championships, is in line for a potential switch to the Premier League during the January transfer window.
TBR can confirm that Aston Villa, Southampton and Fulham are three of the clubs who have the former Red Bull Salzburg prospect on their radar.
Schmid’s representatives are pushing for a move across the channel, as well, while informing the 24-year-old that he will be allowed to leave the Weser Arena for below the £10 million mark.
Aston Villa, Fulham and Southampton like Romano Schmid
A high-octane and all-action attacking midfielder, there is a reason why Schmid became so integral to Ralf Rangnick’s trademark crash-and-bang, high-pressing football at Euro dark horses Austria.
Sky Germany, meanwhile, reports that Schmid’s contract at Werder Bremen runs until 2026. As such, the Bundesliga outfit must decide quickly whether to cash in now – while his value remains relatively high – or risk letting Schmid edge dangerously close to free-agency.
“It’s incredible how much Romano has developed in the last year,” former Man United interim boss Rangnick said over the summer, after Schmid scored in a thrilling 3-2 win over the Netherlands, per Laola 1.
“I’m very happy for him that he was rewarded for his top performance with a headed goal.”
Schmid, who’s intensity both on and off the ball would appeal to Unai Emery, Marco Silva and Russell Martin, scored four goals and set up seven more in the 2023/24 Bundesliga campaign.
He also averages 1.5 tackles per game in Germany’s top flight. An impressive return for an attack-minded player, which highlights his high-pressing nature.
Werder Bremen ace prides himself on his creativity
"I'm taking a more positive approach," Schmid told the Werder Bremen website back in 2023. “I push forward and demand the ball more. Even when things aren't going our way, I still try to lead the way.
"For me personally, it's also really important that I'm directly involved in the goals. That's where making the second assists is crucial. One of my greatest strengths is initiating goal-scoring opportunities by playing in teammates for them to make the assist."
If Aston Villa were to win the race, Schmid would likely compete with Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers for one of the roles behind Ollie Watkins.
Southampton have struggled for goals and creativity since promotion meanwhile despite hitting the target twice in Sunday’s heart-breaking loss at home to Liverpool.
Fulham are keen to add more goals to their own side, meanwhile. TBR understands that Marco Silva’s Fulham are eyeing Genk striker Tolu Arokodare after nine goals in 14 games. Brazil international Igor Jesus is another Cottagers target
