Football
Exclusive: PSV Defender Olivier Boscagli Wanted by Wolves, Villa and Brighton After Title-Winning Season
Wolves and Aston Villa are in a race with Brighton to sign PSV defender Olivier Boscagli. The 27-year-old is out of contract, with both Premier League clubs looking to secure his signature. Boscagli, a key player for PSV, is keen to test himself in the Premier League after successful seasons in the Eredivisie.
BSR Archive Bucket by BSR Agency | Getty Images
Wolves and Aston Villa have both entered the race to sign PSV Eindhoven defender Olivier Boscagli, SportsBoom understands.
The Premier League duo are hoping to hijack Brighton’s attempt to lure the highly-rated centre-back to the Amex this summer.
The Seagulls tried to sign the 27-year-old last summer but saw their offer rejected.
But Boscagli is out of contract at the end of this month and now the Seagulls are ready to pounce.
However, they now face tough competition from both Wolves and Villa for the player’s prized signature.
Frenchman Boscagli has been a mainstay of PSV’s title-winning side this season, with the Boeren having edged Ajax to the title by just one point after a thrilling finish to the Netherlands top flight this term.
PSV boss Phillips Stadion is hungry to keep Boscagli, a key player this season for him with 41 appearances.
But the Stadion is also understood to be realistic that Boscagli wants to test himself in the Premier League.
Boscagli signed for PSV in 2019 and renewed his contract in June 2021, but after six successful seasons in the Eredivisie, SportsBoom sources understand the player is keen for a new challenge.
PREMIER LEAGUE DESIRE
After 202 appearances and 11 goals across six seasons of loyal service, the club understood the player’s desire to move.
A source told SportsBoom: “Olivier would really like the chance to play in the Premier League and test himself against some of the best players in the world.”
They have tried to agree a new deal with the player, but he has been happy to run down his contract down over the past 12 months and fittingly finish on a high with the league title.
Boscagli won two league titles at PSV, as well as the KNVB Cup and the Johan Cruyff Shield on two occasions during a decorated stay at the Phillips Stadium.
The Monaco-born ace started his career with Nice, playing five seasons in Ligue 1 before a move to Holland.
He represented France at Under-17 all the way through to Under-21 level and is hoping a move to the Premier League can enhance his chance of one day breaking into the senior France squad.
He is a left-sided player and can play at left-back, but his preferred position on the left side of a centre-back pairing.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.