The big Aston Villa transfer dilemma waiting for Steven Gerrard

It just hasn't happened at Aston Villa for Morgan Sanson. The Frenchman has struggled to get going in the Second City since he sealed a £14million move from Marseille in January last year.

Sanson has been hit with injury and illness, limiting him to only five starts in the Premier League with the form of John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz keeping him out of the team. Steven Gerrard has seen Sanson's class first-hand with three substitute appearances earlier this year, the 27 year-old coming on to see out defeats of Brighton and Hove Albion, Southampton and Leeds United.

Sanson was also superb in the Carabao Cup at Chelsea earlier this season before being made to come off with a hamstring injury. Rumours have emerged from across the English Channel claiming that Nantes are keen on bringing Sanson back to France.

Both the player and Villa do have a decision to make come the summer whatever happens, with Steven Gerrard's side keen to bring in a top-class midfielder with Kalvin Phillips and Yves Bissouma of Leeds United and Brighton and Hove Albion both heavily linked with a move to Villa Park. Sanson is competing with McGinn, Ramsey and Douglas as well as Carney Chukwumeka for a place in midfield.

Marvelous Nakamba is a defensive midfielder by trade but with 18 year-old Tim Iroegbunam coming through he will be challenging for a spot in Gerrard's team. Sanson, who is under contract until the end of the 2024-25 season, is a quality player and there are no doubts about that.

His problem is the lack of opportunity he has had to show that, and whether or not he and Villa will be content with him being a squad player. "Morgan is training well, he's been the ultimate professional," Gerrard said.

"I'm certainly