Aston Villa have been linked with a move for RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer recently and the Austrian could be the ideal man to replace Douglas Luiz in Steven Gerrard's side next season.

Recent reports have suggested that Villa are planning a £17m bid for the 25-year-old, who is also attracting interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

Laimer has been an ever-present in Leipzig's side since making the customary switch from RB Salzburg, making 160 appearances in all competitions, in which he has contributed 11 goals and 18 assists.

The Austria international has also emphasised his versatility, playing across midfield and regularly at right-back, which will surely make him an attractive proposition for Gerrard this summer.

If he does make the move to Villa Park, he could be a natural heir to Luiz in the Villans' midfield, with the Brazilian reportedly set to depart this summer.

AC Milan are among the sides interested in the former Manchester City man, who has made 111 appearances for Villa since joining the club and will undoubtedly leave a big hole in their midfield, after appearing in 34 of their 38 Premier League fixtures last season.

However, Laimer could definitely go some way towards filling that gap with his energy and dynamism in midfield. The Austrian is an all-rounder, with WhoScored suggesting that his main strengths are tackling, long shots, dribbling and playing through balls.

He has the edge on Luiz in that aspect, as the Brazilian is more of a deep-lying playmaker than a robust defensive-midfielder, and considering the quality of player Gerrard already has in his midfield, Laimer would arguably be a better fit.

The RB Leipzig man has previously been described as an "elite presser" and it is easy to see why, with FBref ranking him in the 99th percentile after he averaged a ridiculous 34.22 pressures per 90 last season.

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Therefore, it is clear that Laimer would add at Villa Park and if Luiz does complete his move away, then the Austrian would be an excellent replacement, and Johan Lange should do everything he can to sign the £25.2m-rated midfielder.

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