Aston Villa eye Moritz Nicolas as Gladbach keeper ‘thinks about goodbye’

Aston Villa have emerged as one of the clubs monitoring Borussia Mönchengladbach goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas, with Sky Deutschland reporting that the long-serving shot-stopper is “thinking about saying goodbye” to his boyhood club after more than a decade of service. The 28-year-old, who has been Gladbach’s undisputed No.1 this season, is understood to be weighing up a move as he chases the opportunity to compete in European football. 

Nicolas signed a new contract in March running until 2029, a clear indication of the belief Gladbach placed in him after his rise through their academy and several loan spells. But with the Bundesliga side sitting 12th and showing no signs of breaking into the continental places, the goalkeeper is now assessing his long-term future — and Aston Villa are watching closely.

Nicolas has started every league and DFB-Pokal game this season, keeping five clean sheets and conceding 22 goals across 14 matches — steady numbers behind a team that has struggled defensively. His performances, consistency and maturity have made him one of the few bright spots in a transitional Gladbach side.

Despite his loyalty and comfort in the Bundesliga, Sky report that Nicolas is openly contemplating a summer departure. The driving force is clear: he wants European football, and Gladbach do not appear positioned to offer it anytime soon.

Several unnamed clubs are watching him, but only Aston Villa are mentioned directly at this stage. Brentford explored the possibility in the past, yet Nicolas was not convinced by the project. Now, with his ambitions shifting, the tone around his future is very different.

The report is particularly interesting given Aston Villa’s current goalkeeping situation. Emiliano Martínez, one of the Premier League’s most reliable keepers since joining Villa in 2020, remains the established No.1. The club added Marco Bizot to strengthen depth last summer, offering Emery tactical flexibility for a European-heavy schedule.

But Martinez turns 34 next year, and Villa have been proactive in planning succession in several areas of the squad. Sky Deutschland’s report suggests they see Nicolas as a future long-term No.1, not just a rotation option.

For a player pushing for European competition and with a desire to test himself at a higher level, the Villa project makes sense. Under Unai Emery, the club have transformed into a well-structured, ambitious side competing domestically and continentally. They offer progression, visibility, and the infrastructure of a club on a steep upward curve.

Despite their strong interest, Villa are not alone. The report highlights “several clubs” tracking Nicolas, although only Villa are named.

The competition could make this a complex pursuit, especially with Nicolas under contract until 2029. Gladbach are under no pressure to sell financially, meaning any club, including Villa, would have to present a compelling sporting argument — and potentially a sizeable transfer bid.

Given Nicolas’ ambition to play European football, clubs competing in UEFA tournaments will naturally have the upper hand. Villa’s status under Emery puts them in that category, but negotiations would still require strategic planning.

Nicolas ticks all of these boxes. His development at Gladbach has shaped him into a modern goalkeeper who blends old-school reflexes with the positional awareness required in elite European leagues.

Although some might question pursuing a keeper when Martinez remains at a high level, it’s worth considering Villa’s long-term project. Emery values continuity and structured squad phases. A player like Nicolas could be integrated gradually — much like top clubs groom successors years in advance.

From my experience assessing Bundesliga-to-Premier League transitions, keepers with Nicolas’ profile tend to adapt well, especially in teams with defined defensive systems. His physicality and decisiveness would complement Villa’s aggressive midfield and high defensive line.

Nicolas appears likely to push for a summer move, and Aston Villa will be ready to engage if Gladbach open the door. With Emery planning future phases of the squad, the goalkeeper position may soon become a focal point of Villa’s recruitment strategy.

👉 Should Aston Villa prioritise signing Nicolas now as Martínez’s long-term successor, or focus on strengthening other areas first?