Steven Gerrard comments on Paul Pogba as shock Aston Villa transfer claim made

Aston Villa have been linked with a shock transfer swoop for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.

The Sun claim that Villa and their Premier League rivals Newcastle United are keeping an eye on the 29 year-old's current predicament with his contract up at Old Trafford come the end of the season. Pogba has been linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona while his old club, Juventus, have also been credited with an interest in the France star.

Villa are looking to beef up their squad in the summer with boss Steven Gerrard expected to take his team on a challenge for a place in Europe next season. A midfielder is likely to be on Gerrard's transfer shortlist but a move for Pogba is not expected to happen, not least because of his potential wage demands and signing fee as a free agent.

Pogba, who has not long turned 29, is also not the type of profile of player Villa's owners are looking to bring to the team and by the end of the next contract he signs he will have little re-sale value. Pogba has come in for criticism for his performances during his second spell at United, which began when he was bought from Juventus for a then-world record transfer deal worth £89 million in 2016.

Villa boss Gerrard has previously spoken about Pogba's qualities and picked up on one thing he would advise the Frenchman to change. "I think if there’s one small, tiny criticism of this player it would be that he goes forward maybe too much," said on the broadcaster BT Sport in 2018.

"If he’s playing in central midfield with one other player i.e. a (Nemanja) Matic, he might leave him a bit exposed. I had a similar criticism of myself when I played in that position with Didi Hamann or Xabi Alonso.

"I was eager to get into