Lange can land the next Neymar at AVFC by signing “quality” £21m “assist machine” - opinion

Aston Villa have proven themselves as the early market frontrunners so far this summer, having already confirmed four new arrivals in recent weeks, notably sealing the high-profile captures of both Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos, despite rival interest.

Not content with those incomings, however, it would seem that manager Steven Gerrard and sporting director Johan Lange are plotting further reinforcements prior to the start of next season, with one source suggesting that there could be at least three more fresh faces through the door in the current window.

Amid that hunt for quality additions, one name that has emerged as a possible target is Club Brugge starlet Noa Lang, with the former Ajax man having been tipped to make the move to Villa Park by respected scout and coach, David Webb – as per The Athletic.

Dubbed a “player that would excel in the Premier League” by Webb, the 22-year-old has become hot property following his sparkling form in Belgium in recent times, with the Dutchman notably starring in his side’s 1-1 draw with a star-studded Paris Saint-Germain outfit in the Champions League back in September.

That display not only thrust the three-cap international into wider focus, but it also saw him earn comparisons to one of his opponents on the day, Neymar, with that nod a marker of just what a talent he is.

While the aforementioned Brazilian can at times frustrate for his theatrics and apparent lack of commitment to the cause for an entire campaign, the 30-year-old has for so long dazzled at the elite level, winning a plethora of major honours and proving a talismanic figure for his country – for whom he now has 74 goals in 119 games.

To be compared then to the mercurial gem is a sign of just how special Lang