Aston Villa are firmly monitoring Jonathan Rowe’s progress at Bologna this summer, with French journalist Sébastien Vidal confirming that Unai Emery himself has identified the 23-year-old winger as one of the key profiles to strengthen their attacking options. The report, also covered by Sport Witness and TuttoBolognaWeb, makes clear that Aston Villa are not the only interested party; Chelsea and Galatasaray are circling too.
Aston Villa push hard for Rowe as Bologna’s €40m exit clause emerges
Rowe joined Bologna from Marseille last summer for around €20m, with the cut-price fee largely attributed to a falling-out with Adrien Rabiot during his time in France. He endured a sluggish opening to life in Serie A, but things changed sharply in 2026.
He scored eight goals and contributed five assists across 42 competitive appearances; four of those goals came in the Europa League, including a well-taken strike against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals. With both Jadon Sancho and Leon Bailey expected to leave Villa Park this summer, Emery needs width, and Rowe sits firmly at the top of the list.
Bologna finished outside European qualification, and that financial hit may force them into selling one of their prized assets, with TuttoBolognaWeb reporting a price tag of around €40m as the starting point for negotiations. Rowe’s contract at the Stadio Dall’Ara runs until 2029, which gives Bologna proper control, but the absence of European football weakens their hand considerably.
Should Aston Villa sign him?
We feel they should, and without hesitation. Aston Villa are heading back into the Champions League, and Emery has a well-established track record of getting the very best from direct, transition-oriented wingers. Rowe has all the attributes as he is quick, decisive, and has already proven he belongs at a high European level. Stan Collymore put it bluntly after the Europa League quarter-final, describing Rowe as exactly what Aston Villa need: physically strong, direct, lightning quick, and unafraid to shoot.
At €40m for a 23-year-old English winger with a contract running to 2029 and genuine Champions League ambitions, this deal makes complete sense. Emery wants to reduce Villa’s over-reliance on Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins in the final third, and Rowe gives him a genuinely different threat out wide. Bologna will sell. Aston Villa should be first through the door.
