Aston Villa and Brighton compete for Mauro Coronel

Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion are competing for the signature of 18-year-old Paraguayan defender Mauro Coronel. The Club Nacional Asunción center-back has gained significant attention from European scouts due to his physical presence, aerial ability, and composure on the ball.

Brighton is currently considered a frontrunner for the player, but Aston Villa is also closely monitoring his progress. Interest has also reportedly extended to clubs in Spain's La Liga. Coronel, a Paraguay U-20 international, is seen as a high-potential talent for long-term defensive reinforcement.

While Coronel's contract with Nacional is set to expire in December, a transfer is unlikely to occur until the current Paraguayan domestic season concludes. Club Nacional intends to retain the player for the remainder of the campaign to ensure his continued development. His agent, Renato Bittar, has confirmed that European interest is long-standing, though no formal offers have been accepted by the club.