Udinese defender Thomas Kristensen has addressed growing speculation regarding his future, suggesting a move to a "bigger club" is part of his career strategy as Aston Villa, Tottenham, and AC Milan consider a summer move for the 24-year-old. According to reports from TuttoMercatoWeb, the Serie A club has established a €25 million (£21.6m) valuation for the Danish centre-back, who is currently under contract in Udine until June 2028. Villa are understood to be leading a group of Premier League suitors, including Nottingham Forest, as Unai Emery looks to restructure his defensive options ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Kristensen outlines career progression plans
Speaking to Danish outlet Campo, Kristensen confirmed that his long-term future likely lies away from the Bluenergy Stadium. "In the short term, it's quite likely that the next step should be to a bigger club, perhaps one playing in Europe," the defender stated, adding that he and his representatives had always planned for Udinese to serve as a stepping stone. While the player acknowledged that Udinese have offered a contract extension to protect his market value, his comments suggest a preference for a transfer. Since arrive from Aarhus GF in 2023 for a fee between €3m and €5m, Kristensen has made over 75 appearances, establishing himself as a physical presence in the Italian top flight.
Tactical fit and Villa squad evolution
Standing at 198cm, Kristensen fits the specific physical profile Unai Emery has previously prioritised for his backline. Villa's interest comes at a transitional moment for their defence; long-serving centre-back Tyrone Mings will enter the final year of his contract in the summer of 2026, and the club is reportedly seeking younger reinforcements with Champions League potential. Kristensen’s experience in a back-three system at Udinese offers tactical flexibility, though any move will require Villa to navigate Udinese’s established business model of securing high premiums for talent, similar to the £15m profit they generated on Destiny Udogie. Competition from AC Milan and Spurs may yet drive the €25m asking price higher if a bidding war materialises in June.
While Udinese remain in dialogue with Kristensen's camp over a new deal, the player's public admission regarding his next step suggests a formal approach from a Premier League suitor would likely reach a swift resolution.