Aston Villa have reportedly identified Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovani Lo Celso as a summer transfer target.
The West Midlands outfit are currently bidding to earn a return to European football, occupying eighth position in the Premier League table with two games left.
However, Unai Emery's side only sit behind Spurs on goal difference and still have to play sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion at home on the final day of the season.
Regardless of whether Villa secure a top-seven finish, they are expected to make a number of major additions ahead of 2023-24 in a bid to continue their recent progress and mark the likely arrival of Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Villa have 'concrete interest' in signing Lo Celso during the next transfer window.
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Such a development would see Emery be reunited with a player who he twice signed on loan during his spell at Villarreal, the team that he departed at the start of November.
Since January 22, Lo Celso has chipped in with two goals and four assists from 47 appearances in all competition, his game time hindered by injury.
The Argentina international did not make an appearance for the Yellow Submarine between October 30 and March 4, but he has received regular action and played an increasingly key role from April onwards.
Lo Celso has three assists to his name during that period, one coming during a 3-2 over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, and he is currently looking to help Villarreal secure fourth spot in La Liga.
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Despite Villa's interest, there is uncertainty over whether the 27-year-old will be given another opportunity at parent club Spurs in 2023-24.
Chairman Daniel Levy is yet to find a permanent replacement for Antonio Conte, while there is also no sporting director in position at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
While Spurs may welcome the opportunity to cash in on Lo Celso, his versatility and creativity may be viewed as an asset by any new head coach, aware that Spurs have been overly reliant on Harry Kane this season.
Lo Celso, who has eight goals and six assists in 84 outings for Spurs, still has over two years remaining on his contract.
Darren Plant
