Aston Villa have been linked with a summer move for AC Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli.

What's the news?

According to a recent report from Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Villa have joined fellow Premier League side Newcastle United in the mix to sign the centre-back during the current transfer window.

A product of Roma's youth system, the 27-year-old - who is currently picking up £106k-per-week - made his move to Milan back in 2015. Since then, the Italian has gone on to make 247 appearances for the Serie A champions across all competitions, in which he has scored 10 goals and delivered three assists.

In his 19 league appearances last season, the defender won 14 tackles and made 26 blocks, 28 interceptions and 50 clearances, highlighting how useful he can be at the back when called upon.

Described by his youth coach Sandro Tovalieri as an "elegant" player who is "very technical and capable of breaking the lines," Romagnoli's current contract at Milan expires at the end of this month.

This means that Villa could potentially swoop in and secure him as a free agent, assuming he doesn't end up putting pen to paper on a new deal at the San Siro in the next few days.

Imagine him and Carlos

Taking into account how the Midlands club have already added a new defender to their squad in Diego Carlos, adding Romagnoli to the mix as well could give Steven Gerrard the opportunity to form a strong centre-back partnership in his team.

With the Brazilian winning 38 tackles and making 58 blocks, 52 interceptions and 140 clearances in 34 La Liga games last season, he has shown that he is a very capable defender and could be a solid addition to Villa's ranks.

Bearing that in mind and the experience that the Milan defender has racked up in Italy throughout his career, the duo could take the Premier League by storm under Gerrard's management next season and beyond.

If the opportunity to strike a deal for Romagnoli on a free transfer arises in the coming days and weeks, then Villa should be all over it so that they can beat Newcastle to his signature.

In other news - Imagine him and Kamara: Gerrard can form dream duo with £30m Villa swoop for "king"