AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim has intervened to delay Pervis Estupinan’s proposed transfer to Aston Villa, asking the club to suspend negotiations until he has assessed the Ecuadorian left-back during the upcoming pre-season tour.
Estupinan has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League, with Aston Villa identified as his most likely destination. The Midlands club are reportedly close to selling French left-back Lucas Digne to Paris Saint-Germain, a move that would create immediate space in their squad for a new defender.
Amorim demands evaluation period
However, recent reports from Italy indicate that Amorim, who was recently appointed as Milan head coach, is not convinced that allowing Estupinan to leave represents the best option. According to Calciomercato.com, the Portuguese tactician has personally requested that any talks regarding the player’s departure be put on hold pending further assessment.
The defender returned to the club’s Milanello training base on 24 July but did not feature in the pre-season friendly against Celtic on Saturday. He is expected to travel with the squad to Australia, where Amorim intends to take a closer look at him in training and match situations before determining whether he remains part of the plans for the 2026-27 campaign.
First-season struggles and valuation
Estupinan joined the Rossoneri last summer in a deal worth approximately €19 million including bonuses. His debut season in Serie A proved challenging, yielding just 19 league appearances as he struggled to displace 20-year-old Davide Bartesaghi in the left-back pecking order.
Despite these struggles, Amorim appears willing to grant the Ecuador international an opportunity to prove his worth. Should Milan ultimately decide to sell, they will reportedly demand a fee in the region of €15 million to €16 million. This would represent a financial loss on the initial investment but would provide Amorim with funds to reshape the squad according to his tactical preferences.
The coming weeks in Australia will prove decisive for Estupinan’s future. His performances during the tour will determine whether he remains at San Siro to compete with Bartesaghi or completes a move to Villa Park before the transfer window closes.