Steven Gerrard has made a good start to the his plans to reinvigorate Aston Villa's squad having already wrapped up some important deals approximately a week after the Premier League season came to an end.
The Villa boss has previously spoken of his desire to bring European football back to Villa Park and appears to be a man in a hurry to achieve his goal with the signings of Philippe Coutinho, Boubacar Kamara with a deal also in place for Diego Carlos.
Gerrard has not rested there and already has plenty of other irons in the fire as he attempts to strengthen his squad. Mirror Sport rounds up all the latest Villa transfer news and rumours.
Villa set Davis price
Gerrard has some long, hard thinking to do as he mulls over filling in the pieces of his Aston Villa summer jigsaw. It’s a puzzle which was always going to test him but events of the weekend will almost certainly mean he’ll be left scratching his head even more. The Villa boss’ No1 decision may be whether to stick or twist with striker Keinan Davis.
Gerrard farmed the 24-year-old to Nottingham Forest to battle-harden him and Davis has provided all the answers he was looking for. The powerhouse front man has led the line for a Forest team which blazed a trail back to the Premier League with five goals in 18 games and won’t take any persuading to stay. Gerrard already has Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings as his mainline strikers with Cameron Archer returning after a successful loan spell at Preston.
Davis’ dad Jimmy revealed his son feels “at home” at Forest and it is understood by Mirror Sport if they decide to tempt Villa with a £15m bid they could get their man. Some cash for Davis will give Gerrard leeway to fund other signings, including a striker with proven experience.
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Pole position for Tarkowski
Gerrard could boost his spending budget by cashing in after already sealing what look to be bargain buys. In comes Coutinho for £17m, half what Barcelona originally wanted, along with midfielder Kamara from Marseille on a free plus a £26m outlay to bring in central defender Carlos from Sevilla.
According to The Athletic Villa are currently also "early favourites" to land Burnley ’s out-of-contract defender James Tarkowski for nothing. Gerrard was at the Champions League final and told BT Sport about his relentless desire to improve Villa's squad.
He said: "We have tried to get in while people are sleeping and try to make some big pieces of the jigsaw. We are really happy with where we are right now. It's exciting moving forward but it is time to switch off for a few weeks. Of course I will be on the phone doing what I need to do and I am really looking forward to a full pre-season and I am optimistic for next year."
Gerrard factor big for Bassey
Gerrard’s persuasive powers have already borne fruit with Kamara admitting the Liverpool and England legend was the main reason be plumped for Villa. The 22-year-old wasn’t short of suitors but, despite being the subject of interest from teams such as Atletico Madrid and Manchester United, he chose to sign for Villa.
Speaking to RMC Sport, Kamara said: “It’s my choice. I had this feeling with Villa. When the coach comes to see you at home, when he makes the trip, when he explains the project, his ambition for me in the years to come, I take this into account. Especially when it comes from Steven Gerrard, one of the best midfielders in the world in his position. I can’t wait to join him."
And according to the Daily Record, Gerrard is set to raid former club Rangers for Calvin Bassey next having worked with the defender during his time in Glasgow.
