Aston Villa submit bid for Toulouse’s Jaydee Canvot – highly rated teen

Aston Villa have launched a formal move to sign highly rated teenage centre-back Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse — as Unai Emery looks to bolster his backline with long-term potential.

According to David Ornstein, Villa's offer for the 18-year-old France youth international was turned down, but the Midlands club remain in talks and are expected to continue their pursuit.

Canvot is considered one of Ligue 1’s top defensive prospects and has drawn interest from a host of clubs across Europe. Toulouse are reluctant to let him leave without a substantial package, but Villa’s proactive approach signals serious intent.

The youngster has already represented France at U18 level and is on the radar of several scouts after a standout season with Toulouse's reserves and first-team training squad.

With veteran centre-back Diego Carlos linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and uncertainty surrounding Pau Torres' long-term fitness, Aston Villa are planning for the future.

Unai Emery is a known admirer of intelligent, ball-playing defenders — and Canvot’s ability to read the game and distribute from the back makes him a perfect fit for Villa’s evolving style.

The Toulouse defender is regarded as one of the most technically gifted centre-backs in his age group in France. His calmness on the ball, positional awareness, and aerial ability have earned comparisons to Ibrahima Konaté.

He is also known for his leadership at youth level, captaining Toulouse’s academy side in several competitions.

Jaydee Canvot may not walk straight into Villa’s starting XI, but his ceiling is immense. If Aston Villa can win this race now, they could secure a cornerstone of their defence for the next decade — at a time when elite young centre-backs are increasingly rare and expensive.

Aston Villa remain optimistic about getting a deal over the line, even after Toulouse rejected the first offer. Talks between the clubs are expected to continue this week, with the French side likely to hold out for a larger fee or better-structured add-ons.

Unai Emery is pushing for early reinforcements, and Villa may return with an improved bid to beat rival interest. The player is reportedly open to the move, which could give Villa a crucial edge in negotiations.

A decision could be made before the end of July — with Villa keen to finalise their squad ahead of the Premier League kick-off in August.

Should Aston Villa finalise the Canvot deal now — or focus on more experienced defenders?