Aston Villa’s Alex Moreno has intensified speculation about his future by posting a cryptic “Time for training” update on Instagram. The 32-year-old left-back, who spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Nottingham Forest, appears set for a permanent exit from Villa Park, with Leeds United emerging as a prime destination. With Daniel Farke prioritizing defensive reinforcements for Leeds’ Premier League return, Moreno’s experience and a reported £5 million price tag make him a key target, though competition from Sunderland, Burnley, and La Liga clubs adds complexity to the transfer saga.
Football Insider reported on June 14, 2025, that Moreno is “interested” in joining Leeds, citing his lack of future at Villa, where he is behind Digne and Maatsen in Unai Emery’s pecking order. His contract, running until June 2026 with a £35,000 weekly wage, makes a £5 million transfer feasible, as noted by talkSPORT. Moreno’s recent Instagram story, captioned with a “Time for training” GIF, has fueled speculation, especially after a prior “farewell” post hinted at a Villa exit.
Aston Villa’s willingness to sell Moreno aligns with their need to raise £30 million by June 30, 2025, to comply with Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), per Football Insider. The club, set to compete in the Europa League after missing Champions League qualification, has already targeted sales of players like Emiliano Buendía, Louie Barry, and Kaine Kesler-Hayden. Moreno’s £5 million valuation offers a small but vital boost, with Birmingham Live reporting that Villa are open to offers from all three newly promoted Premier League clubs—Leeds, Sunderland, and Burnley. A potential player-plus-cash deal with Real Betis for Jesús Rodríguez, involving Moreno, has been discussed but is currently on hold, per@Total_Villa.
Leeds fans are cautiously optimistic about Moreno, with @LeedsUnitedYorks on X calling him “a solid addition with Premier League pedigree” but questioning if he’s a “total starter”. Villa fans, per @Total_Villa, see Moreno’s exit as inevitable, with one post stating, “Time for Moreno to move on, good luck at Leeds”. Pundit Stuart Dallas, in Leeds Live, emphasized the need for “experienced figures like Moreno” to navigate a tough season, with Arsenal and Liverpool among Leeds’ opening fixtures. However, some fans worry about Moreno’s injury history—he missed 10 games in 2023-24—and prefer a younger option like Mainz’s Anthony Caci, per Yahoo Sports.
For Leeds, signing Moreno would provide a reliable left-back to replace Firpo, offering defensive stability and attacking output (2.1 crosses per 90 in 2024-25, per Sofascore). His integration could be seamless, given his Premier League experience, but regular starts are not guaranteed if Leeds pursue other targets like Mandava. For Moreno, a move to Elland Road offers consistent game time, crucial for extending his career, though a return to Spain with Betis or Sociedad may appeal. Villa’s financial strategy ensures Moreno’s exit is likely, but Leeds must act swiftly to secure him before the June 30 PSR deadline.
