Aston Villa transfer news: In-demand defender 'interesting' Unai Emery, battle with Portuguese giants expected

Aston Villa have reportedly identified Famalicao defender Ibrahima Ba as a potential summer transfer target.

Unai Emery is currently bidding to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League table - which would see Villa qualify for the Champions League - and win the Europa League over the next seven weeks.

However, with Villa having been linked with a number of players across the past seven days, it appears that planning for the summer transfer window has commenced.

Each of Villa's four central defenders are aged between 28 and 33, emphasising the need to acquire younger talent at some point in the future.

According to Africa Foot, that has led to Villa adding Ba to their list of potential additions.

© Imago / Sportimage

Who is Ibrahima Ba?

Ba has proven to be a major hit for Famalicao this season, making a total of 17 appearances in Primeira Liga.

One of the minnows of the division sit in fifth place in the Portuguese top-flight standings, conceding just 22 goals in 27 games.

Sitting just one point adrift of Braga, expectation over European qualification is growing, but Famalicao seemingly face a fight to retain the 20-year-old's services.

That is despite the prospect making just 23 appearances for the club since his transfer from Valenciennes, where he made just one senior outing.

Porto, Sporting Lisbon, Benfica, Braga and Vitoria de Guimaraes are all said to be interested in his signature.

Famalicao have allegedly set an asking price of €10m (£8.71m), a fee that may tempt Villa into a move.

© Imago / Matrix Images

The kind of signing Villa need?

Villa have invested youth in recent seasons without getting any reward with regards to the first team.

Nevertheless, as stated, Villa will eventually need to sign at least one younger central defender to complement their current crop.

Ba's lack of first-team experience would make him a risky signing, but the level of his potential can be gauged from all of Portuguese football's big hitters wanting to sign him.

They may also have the edge at this point, but Ba appears to have the credentials of someone who could arrive at Villa as fourth choice and try to impress when opportunities arise.