Aston Villa have 'explored' deal for £30m 'goal-scorer' at Villa Park

Aston Villa have ‘explored’ a potential deal for Espanyol striker Raul de Tomas in the current transfer window, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Midlands outfit are believed to be in the market for attacking reinforcements this summer but are yet to land any forwards with September’s deadline fast approaching.

De Tomas rose through the ranks of boyhood club Real Madrid yet only made one senior appearance for Los Blancos, embarking on a series of loan spells.

The Spain international impressed for Rayo Vallecano and Real Valladolid before finally joining Benfica on a permanent basis back in 2019.

However, De Tomas only lasted six months as the Estádio da Luz before Espanyol brought him back to his homeland, and he has enjoyed an extremely productive two-and-a-half-years since.

Spanish sources have claimed that the 5 foot 10 ace is on the radar of several Premier League clubs, with Newcastle United, Everton and West Ham also listed as potential suitors.

It’s claimed that it would take a €35 million (£30m) fee to prise De Tomas away from his current employers, largely due to the fact he still has four years remaining on his contract.

Jones believes that Gerrard is determined to take ‘no risks’ in his search for a guaranteed source of goals and that he is desperate to increase his side’s ‘goal output for next season’.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “I think it’s one that’s been explored.

“I think that ultimately, Steven Gerrard needs to know for sure that it definitely elevates their goal output for next season. That’s what he’s trying to make sure of, there can be no risks taken here.”

De Tomas bagged 23 goals and provided a further three assists in 27 appearances in 37 league games in 2020/21, firing