Aston Villa and Liverpool have been credited with an interest in Villarreal left-back Sergi Cardona ahead of the summer transfer window. Cardona only joined the Spanish outfit last summer, on a free transfer from Las Palmas, but he has suitably impressed and has attracted interest from elsewhere. Villa and Villarreal have, of course, done business in recent times; the Lions lured Unai Emery to Villa Park a little under two and a half years ago, while in the summer of 2023, ahead of the Europa Conference League campaign, they revisited the La Liga outfit to secure a deal for defender Pau Torres. Villa were linked with a move for versatile Juan Foyth, who Emery signed for Villarreal himself, in January as they sought to recruit another defensive option - that search eventually led them to Chelsea centre half Axel Disasi. Cardona, 25, signed a three-year deal with Villarreal upon arrival last summer. He has made 27 appearances so far, scoring once in a 4-3 win over Celta Vigo back in August. It's been reported that Villa and Liverpool sent scouts to Spain to watch Cardona in action in recent matches against Rayo Vallecano and Alaves. Villarreal have opened talks with Cardona already about the prospect of new and improved terms in order to deter suitors, but it's claimed that an offer in the region of €15-20m would be considered in the event that the left-back can't be persuaded. The left-back department at Villa is set to come under Emery's microscope in the summer; Lucas Digne will have only a year remaining on his contract beyond the current campaign, while the Lions will also have Alex Moreno returning from his loan spell with Nottingham Forest once the season ends. Villa did utilise the Spanish market in January; they signed right-back Andres Garcia from second tier side Levante and he is currently away with Spain's under 21s side during this international break. What is Villa's transfer priority this summer? Tell us HERE