According to ESPN Brasil, Aston Villa submitted the bid on Tuesday as manager Unai Emery seeks cover and competition for Matty Cash ahead of the club's return to the Champions League. Flamengo turned the offer down but negotiations remain active and a further approach is expected.
Royal joined Flamengo from AC Milan in July 2025 and has rebuilt his career in Rio de Janeiro, contributing five assists in 40 appearances across all competitions while helping the club win three trophies including the 2025 Copa Libertadores. His contract runs until December 2028, which gives Flamengo significant leverage.
The Brazilian club's reluctance stems partly from the difficulty of finding a ready replacement and partly from the belief that Villa's interest signals a higher market value than the opening proposal reflects. Flamengo recently completed the €10m sale of Ryan Roberto to Shakhtar Donetsk, which has lessened the immediate financial pressure to accept.
For Villa, Royal represents a practical solution — a Premier League-experienced right-back with over 100 top-flight appearances across spells at Real Betis, Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur, all for a modest outlay. The 27-year-old holds 10 caps for Brazil's senior side.
The initial rejection appears to be a negotiating position rather than a definitive answer, and Villa are expected to return with a revised figure.
Andrés García, Villa's back-up right-back, is expected to leave the club this summer, which has increased Emery's need to add reinforcements in the position before the season begins.