**Aston Villa Raises Bid in Battle with West Ham for 25-Year-Old Austrian Star*
**BIRMINGHAM –** Aston Villa has stepped up its efforts in the transfer battle with West Ham for 25-year-old Austrian defender **Kevin Danso**. The Premier League clubs are locked in a fierce race for the center-back, who impressed last season with RC Lens in the Champions League. The asking price is reportedly high, but Villa appears willing to offer more than West Ham to seal the deal.
### ⚔️ Villa and West Ham in Transfer Clash
West Ham was one of the first to express serious interest in Danso, who earned European experience with Lens last season. According to transfer insiders, the London club is seeking a seasoned defender after other targets like Todibo slipped away. Now, Aston Villa has entered the race with a more substantial offer, signaling serious intent to outbid their Premier League rivals.
### Kevin Danso: A Rising Name from the Champions League
Danso has built a solid reputation in both French and European football, combining physical strength with leadership and high-level experience — traits that align with what Aston Villa is looking for as they prepare for their first Champions League campaign in years.
### Villa Increases Its Offer
Though exact figures have not been made public, sources suggest Villa’s offer surpasses that of West Ham, potentially including bonuses and attractive salary terms. This indicates the club’s serious ambition to bolster its defense and ensure squad depth ahead of a demanding European season.
### What This Means for Villa
Upping the bid fits into Aston Villa’s broader strategy of competing at the highest level. Under Unai Emery, the club is building a squad capable of sustaining both domestic and international competitions. Danso would be a ready-made starter and also allow for smoother development of younger defenders within the squad.
### West Ham Still Watching
West Ham hasn’t backed out just yet, despite being outbid. Manager David Moyes and his technical team are still monitoring the situation closely, aware of the need for more defensive reinforcements and the flexibility in their transfer budget. They may come back with an improved offer depending on Villa’s next move.
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### Status Overview
| Club | Position | Financial Commitment Level |
| ————— | ——————————- | ————————————– |
| **Aston Villa** | Actively raised offer, serious | Willing to negotiate aggressively |
| **West Ham** | Initial interest, more cautious | Still in contention, possibly outpaced |
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**Conclusion:**
Aston Villa is applying pressure in the race for Kevin Danso by placing a higher bid that appears to surpass West Ham’s offer. The Austrian international is a valuable target, and Villa’s determination, along with their Champions League prospects, could convince him to move to Birmingham. How West Ham responds in the coming days could determine where Danso will land, making this one of the summer’s most intriguing transfer sagas.
