Aston Villa and Sunderland could be facing a significantly more expensive transfer battle for a striker they considered during the summer. The forward’s remarkable scoring form in Brazil has transformed his market value, with his current club preparing for a potential bidding war when the transfer window reopens.
Kevin Viveros has continued to deliver for Athletico Paranaense, scoring 17 goals in 25 league appearances. His performances have elevated him from an interesting transfer option to one of the most sought-after attacking talents in Brazilian football, and Athletico are now making plans to protect their prized asset.
Sport Witness reported that Aston Villa and Sunderland were among the Premier League clubs to make enquiries about the Colombian striker during the summer. Villa’s interest appears to have come before the club eventually moved for Nicolas Jackson, while Sunderland reportedly viewed Viveros as a possible alternative to Brian Brobbey.
The 26-year-old had already attracted attention from Watford and Bristol City earlier in the year. However, his form since then has taken his reputation to another level, and the financial expectations surrounding his next move have changed considerably.
Neither Villa nor Sunderland managed to secure his signature during the previous window. With Athletico now working on a new contract and their striker continuing to find the net, both clubs could be forced to pay a much higher fee if they return for him.
Athletico Paranaense Prepare for a Potential Record Sale
According to ESPN Brazil, Athletico have reached a verbal agreement with Viveros over a contract extension. His current deal runs until June 2028, but the club are looking to offer improved financial terms and extend his stay.
The decision is about more than simply rewarding the striker’s performances. Athletico understand that retaining a player who is attracting interest from English clubs and Saudi Arabian sides could become increasingly difficult. A new agreement would give them greater protection and strengthen their negotiating position if serious offers arrive.
ESPN Brazil reports that Athletico resisted approaches during the last transfer window, including proposals worth as much as €20 million (£17.3m). That decision now looks increasingly valuable as Viveros continues to strengthen his case for a major transfer.
The Brazilian club reportedly expect a future sale to generate between €30m (£26m) and €40m (£34.7m). If those figures are achieved, Athletico would secure a substantial return on a striker whose performances have dramatically increased his value.
For Villa and Sunderland, the difference is significant. A player who might previously have been available for a fee around €20m could now require an investment closer to €40m, particularly if multiple clubs enter the race.
Viveros’ Scoring Form Has Changed Everything
Viveros is currently leading the Brazilian league scoring charts with 17 goals in 25 matches. His consistency has made him the central figure in Odair Hellmann’s attack, and his goalscoring record is becoming difficult for potential suitors to ignore.
His biggest strengths are power, acceleration and his ability to attack space. Rather than operating as a conventional target man who spends most of the match battling centre-backs with his back to goal, Viveros prefers to move quickly, exploit gaps and get into dangerous positions near the penalty area.
That profile helps explain why Sunderland could have considered him alongside Brobbey. Both players offer the possibility of adding pace, movement and a different attacking dimension to the squad, although Viveros would bring his own style and qualities.
There are still aspects of his game that require improvement. Hellmann has previously identified heading and decision-making as areas where the striker can develop, particularly when it comes to choosing between taking another shot and passing to a teammate.
Nevertheless, those weaknesses have not prevented Viveros from producing outstanding numbers. His goals have continued to arrive, and Athletico now have every reason to believe that his next transfer could be worth considerably more than the offers they rejected.
Premier League Interest Could Return
For Aston Villa, the situation is especially intriguing. The club’s summer decision to sign Nicolas Jackson may have closed one route to Viveros, but the Colombian’s continued progress could make him an attractive option again in the future.
Sunderland, meanwhile, could revisit their interest if they decide to strengthen their forward line. Their previous consideration of Viveros as an alternative to Brobbey shows that his style had already caught the attention of English recruitment departments.
The challenge for either club is that Athletico are no longer negotiating from the same position they were earlier in the year. A new contract, 17 league goals and rejected offers worth €20m have combined to create a much stronger platform for the Brazilian side.
Viveros has turned an impressive season into a major transfer opportunity. Athletico now appear ready to demand a premium, and any Premier League club hoping to sign him will have to decide whether his extraordinary scoring form is worth the potentially huge financial commitment.
The next transfer window could therefore bring a very different conversation. Instead of asking whether Viveros is worth €20m, interested clubs may soon be considering whether they are prepared to pay €30m, €40m or even more to secure one of Brazil’s most dangerous strikers.