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Aston Villa have completed the signing of Gremio forward Alysson on a long-term contract in a deal worth up to €12million (£10.5m, $14m).

The Athletic reported on December 10 that Villa were closing in on a deal for the 19-year-old Brazilian, which was expected to be completed once the winter transfer window opened on January 1.

Alysson, a right-winger, fits the profile of the attacker Villa have identified for bolstering Unai Emery’s first-team squad this month.

Villa scouts visited Brazil to watch the teenager, with a recognition that the squad has to reduce in age. The West Midlands side were also eager to bolster their wide options to replace Leon Bailey, who departed for Roma in the summer on a season-long loan.

Villa did sign forward Evann Guessand from Nice ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, though he is yet to score in 12 Premier League appearances and is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations, where he is representing Ivory Coast. They also recruited Harvey Elliott from Liverpool, who has played on the right in his career, but the Englishman has seen limited action during his loan spell.

Villa are also keen to recruit a centre-forward to provide depth behind Ollie Watkins this month. However, this is dependent on market conditions and whether they can identify a striker who can be of worth to Emery and within their financial parameters.

Alysson made 31 appearances in the Brazilian Serie A for Gremio this season, registering one goal and two assists as they finished ninth. It was his first campaign of senior football, having graduated from the Under-20 side.

The teenager has also featured for Brazil in their youth teams but is yet to make a senior appearance.

Jacob is a football reporter covering Aston Villa for The Athletic. Previously, he followed Southampton FC for The Athletic after spending three years writing about south coast football, working as a sports journalist for Reach PLC. In 2021, he was awarded the Football Writers' Association Student Football Writer of the Year. Follow Jacob on Twitter @J_Tanswell