Aston Villa are preparing an opening offer for RC Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser as the Premier League club plans for the anticipated departure of current first-choice Emiliano Martínez.
The Midlands side intend to submit a bid to gauge Lens’s valuation of the 21-year-old, though the French club are expected to resist any approach. Risser has emerged as a priority target for the Birmingham-based outfit as they look to reinforce their goalkeeping department.
The French shot-stopper enjoyed a standout campaign with Lens, playing a pivotal role in their historic Coupe de France victory, the club’s first-ever triumph in the competition. He also featured prominently as Lens pushed Paris Saint-Germain to the penultimate game of the season in a tense Ligue 1 title race.
His domestic form earned international recognition, with France manager Didier Deschamps naming him as the third-choice goalkeeper for the World Cup squad. The call-up capped a remarkable rise for the youngster, who has established himself among the most promising keepers in French football.
Risser developed through the ranks at RC Strasbourg Alsace before gaining valuable experience through loan spells with Red Star in Ligue 2 and Dijon SCO in the Championnat National. These stints provided the foundation for his rapid progression at Lens.
Villa understand that securing Risser’s signature will prove challenging. Lens are not prepared to accept his departure readily, indicating that any potential transfer would require substantial negotiations. The move is contingent upon Martínez, 33, completing his expected exit, with Villa acting proactively to identify a replacement capable of stepping into the first team.