Who is Aston Villa’s transfer target Raúl de Tomás?

Steven Gerrard isn’t short of strikers in the first-team ahead of next season (Ollie Watkins, Danny Ings, Cameron Archer, Keinan Davis), but Archer and Davis have uncertain futures this summer.

Archer could be loaned out to a Championship club while Davis has interest from a newly-promoted Premier League side, so Gerrard would need another centre-forward.

Hector Andreu of Fichajes says Aston Villa are competing with West Ham United, Everton and Newcastle United for Espanyol striker Raul de Tomas, but who is the 27-year-old?

Tomas joined the Periquitos from Benfica in January 2020 and has gone on to make 89 appearances in all competitions, scoring 45 goals with six assists. The Spanish international, who played for Real Madrid in the past, netted 17 goals with three assists from 34 La Liga games last season, so it’s easy to see why Villa are keen.

Tomas created 25 chances, had 50 successful dribbles, won 35 of 72 aerial duels (48.6%), made 15 tackles and hit the target with 45 of his 106 shots (42%). He could be a good fit at Villa if the Midlands outfit meet his £29.7m asking price, but time will tell if Gerrard can beat out all the interest.

In other news, Aston Villa tipped to sign Conor Gallagher