Steven Gerrard sent clear Yves Bissouma message as fresh transfer claims emerge

Aston Villa are said to be 'relaxed' over a summer swoop for Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma despite the possibility that Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur could also make moves.

Sky Sports claim that it is 'unlikely' Bissouma will join Villa this evening with just a matter of hours remaining in the January transfer window.

Villa have this month recruited Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Digne, Robin Olsen, Calum Chambers and Kerr Smith, but it is widely reported that the club want to bolster Steven Gerrard's midfield ranks.

Brighton midfielder Bissouma will enter the final 12 months of his contract at The Amex and is likely to leave the club at the end of the season.

But fans on social media want Villa to make a late January move for Bissouma, fearing that more competition will come in for the Mali international around the summer.

@ : however Bissouma will be going to a top 6 club in the summer so we’ve missed out on our clear number 1 man. But I’m sure it will be our priority to get another DM in the summer now

@ : My gut tells me Bissouma will wait until the summer to decide his future.

@ : In regards to Bissouma it's now or never for us imo. No chance we get him in the summer when others clubs will be circling.

@ : For me, if we don’t sign Yves Bissouma now, it’ll be another Julian Alvarez situation where we miss the chance and come the summer with 12-months left on how current deal, he moves to a top European club whether that be here or abroad

@ : Bissouma is a champions league level player. Either buy him now and watch him drag us there. Or wait til summer when he goes to a team already in the CL.

@ : IF we want Bissouma we need to get him today. In the summer his options will be much greater at a