Gerrard can land his own Kante as Villa eye move for “outrageous” £50m “monster” - opinion

Despite having already completed the signing of Marseille youngster Boubacar Kamara, it would appear that Aston Villa remain set on bringing in a further midfield addition this summer, in order to help bolster Steven Gerrard’s squad.

One name that had been mentioned was Brighton’s Yves Bissouma, although the Mali international looks to be on his way to Tottenham Hotspur this summer, while the Midlands outfit are also expected to face fierce competition from Manchester City in the race to sign Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips, having reportedly been keen on the 26-year-old.

All is not lost in Villa’s bid to bring in a quality midfield recruit, however, with journalist Pete O’Rouke – in an interview with GIVEMESPORT – revealing that the club are “keeping tabs” on Chelsea gem, Conor Gallagher.

The 22-year-old – who spent the most recent campaign on loan at Crystal Palace – is set to return to Stamford Bridge this summer in order to take part in pre-season training under Blues boss manager Thomas Tuchel, although Gerrard and co may be able to pounce if it becomes clear that he won’t play a prominent role for the west Londoners next term.

Any deal would likely not come cheap – amid reports that the asking price could be as high as £50m – although the England international has proven in the most recent campaign that he is a genuinely gifted talent and one that would no doubt fit in beautifully at Villa Park.

In what proved to be a breakthrough 2021/22 season at Selhurst Park, the £17k-per-week workhorse netted eight goals and provided three assists for Patrick Vieira’s side, while also averaging 0.9 interceptions and two tackles per 90 in his 34 top-flight outings.

Seemingly an old-school, throwback, box-to-box midfielder, the