Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard is set to establish a new transfer plan as he aims to add another midfielder to his squad this summer.
The Midlands club have already signed Boubacar Kamara on a free transfer from Marseille in this window, beating Manchester United to the signature of the French international. They have also brought in Philippe Coutinho on a permanent deal from Barcelona, with Gerrard’s Brazilian ex-teammate starring on loan during the second half of last season.
However, reports suggest that due to the uncertain futures of Morgan Sanson, Douglas Luiz and Carney Chukwuemeka, Gerrard is keen to add another midfielder to his squad. Luiz and Chukwuemeka have entered the final 12 months of their contracts at Villa Park.
Midlands-based outlet the Express and Star has claimed that Gerrard is scouring the market for midfield options, having already spent over £45m on new signings this summer, including Brazilian centre-back Diego Carlos.
Chukwuemeka has turned down a contract offer from Villa and is set to leave next summer for next to nothing, with Barcelona, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund among the clubs linked with interest in the England youth international.
In a bid to replace Villa's likely outgoing midfielders, Liverpool legend Gerrard could raid an old Premier League rival. Earlier this month, the Express and Star claimed Conor Gallagher, who shone on loan at Crystal Palace last season, was of interest to Villa and they were weighing up a move to sign the England international, who hopes to be in the Three Lions squad for the winter World Cup in Qatar.
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From a current England star to a former one, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - who is likely to leave Liverpool this summer - has been credited with interest from Villa, having played eight times with Gerrard for his country and 12 times with Coutinho at Anfield.
Another name on the linked list is PSV Eindhoven’s Ibrahim Sangare, who is also said to be a target for Manchester United. However, PSV are reportedly said to be offering the midfielder, who has also been linked with Chelsea and Newcastle, a new contract imminently in a bid to fend off interest.
Valencia’s Geoffrey Kondogbia, RB Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer and Porto’s Otavio are also understood to be on Villa's shortlist. However, Laimer has also been linked with Bayern Munich and Manchester United in a switch worth £17m, while Porto are believed to have a release clause on Brazilian Otavio worth around £34m.
Villa defeated Brisbane Roar 1-0 in a pre-season clash on Wednesday thanks to a goal from Cameron Archer and Gerrard’s side are due to face Erik ten Hag's United in their final friendly down under in Perth on Saturday.
Gerrard’s side will conclude their pre-season fixtures on Saturday, July 30 in France with a meeting against Ligue 1 side Rennes.
