Aston Villa are reportedly prepared to remain patient in the race to sign Luis Suarez on a free transfer.
The Uruguay international will depart Atletico Madrid this summer, the veteran forward suggesting that he had minimal discussions over his exit before being informed of the club's decision.
Suarez found himself in an out of the team during 2021-22, making 25 starts and 19 substitute appearances in all competitions after having helped Atletico to the La Liga title during the previous campaign.
Nevertheless, the former Liverpool and Barcelona star will not be short of offers, his intention currently being to represent a top European club.
According to The Athletic, Villa still fall into that bracket despite their lack of continental football, a consequence of finishing in 14th position in the Premier League standings.
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The report claims that Suarez has been in regular contact with Villa boss Steven Gerrard, the pair possessing a high level of mutual respect after their time at Anfield together.
Gerrard has already acted to bring in another former teammate of both of them in the form of Philippe Coutinho, who has recently joined on a permanent basis from Barcelona.
However, Villa are not short of options in the final third of the pitch and will allegedly determine which players could depart the club in order to accommodate Suarez.
Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings - Gerrard's top two frontmen - only contributed 18 top-flight goals between them this season, but will likely remain an important part of his plans.
With Watkins able to play in a wide position, Gerrard could attempt to part ways with Bertrand Traore or Leon Bailey, the latter having failed to make much of an impression since his move from Bayer Leverkusen.
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The report adds that Gerrard is focused on signing "experienced winners", such additions potentially complementing the array of youngsters which are emerging from the club's highly-regarded academy system.
Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara was the first to sign on the dotted line last week, with an agreement soon being reached for Sevilla centre-back Diego Carlos.
Three more players could potentially arrive through the door with Villa allegedly targeting a finish in the top six, which would guarantee European football for 2023-24.
After Gerrard's arrival in November, Villa accumulated 35 points from 27 games, the ninth-best return over that period but still nine points adrift of that form being on par with the top six over the same amount of fixtures.
Darren Plant
