According to Football Insider, Unai Emery could give the green light to sell Carlos in the January transfer window. Carlos was reportedly signed for £26m from Sevilla in the June 2022.

The Brazilian was strongly linked with a move to Premier League rivals Fulham in the summer but a move failed to materialise. A deal was said to be close on the eve of the new campaign but instead Fulham opted to sign Joachim Andersen from Crystal Palace for £30m. Serie A giants AC Milan were also said to be admirers.

Carlos has played 11 games this season, earning eight starts. He didn’t play in Villa’s first four league games of the season, but has found himself a part of the back line when Matty Cash has been injured with Ezri Konsa moved to full-back and Carlos given an opportunity in the centre.

With the sale of Carlos a possibility, former Leeds United man Diego Llorente has been earmarked as a potential replacement. Football Insider, the same outlet that is reporting the potential sale of Carlos, admits it will be difficult for Villa to sign Llorente.

Emery is reportedly keen to bring in a new centre-back, but Llorente has signed a long-term contract with Real Betis, and as a result they might have to seek alternative options. Leeds United sold Llorente to Betis for an undisclosed fee but it is believed that the La Liga club only paid £2.5m to acquire his services.

Negotiations could prove difficult as Llorente has made himself a key member of the Betis back line. The 31-year-old has played 17 games already this season, and has started all of their league matches. His contract runs at the Estadio Benito Villamarin until 2028, and so Betis are well placed to adopt a strong negotiating position.