Some transfer chases just won't die. This one has outlasted an entire summer window, and Aston Villa still haven't let go. A summer approach that went nowhere
Unai Emery's side made contact in the summer, yet Lyon held firm and kept their man. Sport Witness covered the French report in August, and Paulo Fonseca admitted the interest was genuine. Pavel Šulc, he said, is "a player other clubs are watching." Villa left empty-handed. They haven't stopped looking, though.
Šulc is 25, Czech, and an attacking midfielder who cost Lyon €7.5m from Viktoria Plzeň a year ago. He came through at Plzeň after loan spells at Jihlava, Opava, České Budějovice and Jablonec. Across 294 senior games, he's got 72 goals and 43 assists. Last season he reached double figures for goals and assists, which explains the queue. This term has been slower. Zero goals, three assists. His suitors don't seem bothered.
Tutto Juve reports that Juventus are back on his trail after failing to convince him in the summer. They'll face fierce competition from Villa and Atlético Madrid . His contract runs until 2029, Transfermarkt rate him at €20m, and Lyon want €50m with no discount. Nobody has said Villa will pay that.
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – SEPTEMBER 16: Pavel Sulc of Olympique Lyonnais in action during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between RSC Anderlecht and Olympique Lyonnais at RSC Anderlecht Stadium on September 16, 2026 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
On the pitch, yes. On the price, no. Emery wants creators who find pockets between the lines, press the moment possession goes and arrive in the box late. Šulc's double-figure return in his first year suggests he ticks those boxes. At 25, he'd also give Emery two or three prime seasons to coach him, which the manager loves.
But €50m? That's more than double Transfermarkt's value and almost seven times what Lyon paid. Villa have spent recent years squeezed by profit and sustainability rules, so a big fee for a player without a goal this season looks risky. Emery already has plenty of options behind the striker, so Šulc would compete rather than walk straight in.
Smart play? Test Lyon with a lower bid, include add-ons tied to goals, and walk away if they won't budge. Emery has built Villa by buying cleverly, not loudly. Paying a premium here would break that habit.
