Àlex Moreno is set to leave Aston Villa for Girona, with Spanish outlets Marca and AS reporting that a full agreement is in place and the move will be made official within hours.
The 32-year-old left-back has not been part of Unai Emery’s long-term plans at Villa Park and, with his contract expiring in 2026, the club have agreed to let him depart. According to Cadena Ser journalist Nil Solà, Moreno will terminate his Villa contract and join Girona on a free transfer until 2027.
The Catalan club view him as the replacement for Miguel Gutiérrez, sold to Napoli earlier this month, and he will compete with Daley Blind for the starting spot on the left side of defence. Moreno is expected in Girona on Thursday for medical tests before signing his new deal.
Why Villa Have Let Moreno Go
Unai Emery has remodelled his defensive options over the past year, leaning on Lucas Digne and youngster Kaine Kesler-Hayden, leaving Moreno surplus to requirements. Despite showing flashes of quality since joining from Real Betis in January 2023, his injuries and age profile meant Villa were open to an exit.
The move also suits Girona, who have Champions League football this season and needed an experienced, attacking full-back to balance their squad after losing Gutiérrez.
Àlex Moreno on His Next Step
Spanish reports suggest Moreno has embraced the chance to return to La Liga and continue playing at the top level:
“Girona have closed the deal for Álex Moreno, who will join as a free agent until 2027.” — Nil Solà, Cadena Ser
It marks a homecoming for the Catalan-born defender, who previously represented Real Betis, Rayo Vallecano and Elche.
Àlex Moreno 2024/25 Stats
| Stat (2024/25) | Àlex Moreno |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 19 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Pass Accuracy | 84% |
source: sofascore match data – 21 August 2025
Moreno played 19 times across all competitions for Nottingham Forest on loan last season, contributing one goal and two assists, with a reliable 84% pass accuracy.
Analyst Verdict
This deal underlines Villa’s pragmatism in trimming experienced squad players who no longer fit Emery’s tactical blueprint. By terminating Moreno’s contract, the club free up wages and squad space for younger options.
For Girona, it is a savvy pickup. Moreno’s overlapping runs and technical consistency suit Michel’s attacking style, while his experience adds balance to a backline preparing for both La Liga and European fixtures.
Key Insights
- Moreno set to terminate Villa contract and join Girona on free.
- 3-year deal agreed, running until 2027.
- Replacement for Miguel Gutiérrez, now at Napoli.
- Medical scheduled for Thursday.
- Unai Emery has left Moreno out of Villa’s plans.
What’s Next
Girona are expected to announce Moreno’s signing before the weekend, completing their defensive rebuild after Gutiérrez’s sale. The Spaniard should be registered in time for their upcoming La Liga fixture.
For Villa, attention now turns to reinforcing full-back depth before deadline day, with Emery keen to balance his squad ahead of a congested Europa League schedule.
Did Aston Villa make the right call letting Moreno go for free — or should they have held out for a transfer fee?
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *