Aston Villa are reportedly lining up a £60m swoop for Kalvin Phillips this summer, but while a potential move will be complicated, Yves Bissouma is still a transfer target.
It has been clear for some time that Villa have a major weakness in midfield, particularly in the No.6 role both in terms of providing protection for the defence but also linking play together and pushing us further up the field quickly.
READ MORE: Villa player ratings vs Wolves: McGinn struggles, Bailey quiet in disappointing loss
While Marvelous Nakamba was effective in that role following Steven Gerrard’s arrival, his injury led to Douglas Luiz taking his place back, but it’s clear that the Brazilian is not a long-term solution in that role as he doesn’t possess the attributes or characteristics needed to give Villa what we need in that area of the pitch.
Further, with his contract having only 15 months remaining on it, it’s unclear as to whether or not he will put pen to paper on a new deal yet either, and so a replacement may well be needed.
As per The Telegraph, Villa will push for the signing of Phillips from Leeds Utd this summer, a move which could cost up to £60m, as signing a defensive midfielder is now considered a priority by the club.
Further, it’s added that signing the England international could be a complicated move given Leeds will likely be apprehensive about selling to a rival and perhaps even the desire of Phillips to stay with his boyhood club if they avoid relegation this season.
With that in mind, the report notes that Gerrard is also set to make a renewed effort so sign Bissouma from Brighton, and so if Luiz does indeed move on this summer, that could force us into two signings to ensure we have enough quality and cover in that position.
Time will tell how the situation plays out as given the importance of both targets to their current clubs, it’s unlikely to be easy to prise them away this summer.
Nevertheless, Villa have shown their ambition over the last handful of transfer windows, and it’s certainly hoped that Gerrard is able to bring in his preferred targets to stamp his mark on the squad and get us moving in the right direction on a consistent basis.