Aston Villa have emerged as the frontrunners to secure the signature of Feyenoord’s 18-year-old striker Zepiqueno Redmond, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The Premier League club is reportedly in advanced negotiations to bring the highly rated Dutch talent to Villa Park this summer, with the young forward’s contract set to expire in June 2025, making him a free agent. This development has sparked excitement among Villa fans, as the club looks to bolster its attacking options with a player deemed to have significant potential.
Redmond, a Rotterdam native, has been part of Feyenoord’s youth academy since 2019, having previously developed at ADO Den Haag and local amateur clubs Alexandria’66 and CVV Zwervers. The 18-year-old made his senior debut for Feyenoord in November 2024, starting in a 4-1 Eredivisie victory over Almere City. Despite limited first-team opportunities, largely due to injuries and competition from established strikers like Santiago Gimenez, Ayase Ueda, and Julian Carranza, Redmond has shown glimpses of his potential. He scored twice in a KNVB Cup match against MVV Maastricht and earned a starting role in a Champions League knockout play-off against AC Milan, where he impressed in a 1-1 draw at the San Siro.
Standing at six feet tall, Redmond is described as a strong, fast, and goal-oriented striker with the versatility to play across the front line. His performances at youth level, including 11 goals in 22 games for Feyenoord’s Under-17s and 16 in 43 for the Under-18s, have caught the attention of several clubs across Europe. Alongside Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth, and AC Milan have been linked with the Netherlands Under-19 international, while interest from Bundesliga clubs has also been reported. However, Villa appear to have taken pole position in the race for his signature, with Romano noting that the club views Redmond as a striker with “important potential.”
The potential transfer comes at a crucial time for Aston Villa, who are navigating the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules while aiming to maintain their competitive edge after reaching the Champions League quarterfinals this season. The sale of Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr for £64 million in January has left Villa short of depth behind leading scorer Ollie Watkins, and Redmond’s arrival could provide a cost-effective solution. As a free agent, the teenager represents a low-risk, high-reward signing for Unai Emery’s side, which is keen to integrate young talents like Louis Barry and Rory Wilson into the first-team setup.
Feyenoord, meanwhile, have made efforts to extend Redmond’s contract, with head coach Robin van Persie publicly expressing hope that the young striker would remain in Rotterdam. Despite these attempts, no agreement has been reached, and Redmond’s recent switch to the Wasserman agency, led by prominent agent Rob Jansen, suggests he is preparing for a move abroad. The lack of regular playing time under Van Persie, who has used Redmond sparingly since taking over in February, may have influenced the player’s decision to explore new opportunities.