With previous reports claiming that Aston Villa's owners will provide financial backing for Steven Gerrard to make some transfer deals in the current January window to help him make his mark on the squad and improve it where he sees fit, it seems as though the club have identified a player that could help the former Rangers boss do just that.

What's the word?

According to a recent report from Football Insider, Villa have registered their interest in signing Everton defender Lucas Digne this month with Gerrard apparently wanting to recruit a top-class left-back for his side.

Since joining Everton back in the 2018 summer transfer window from Barcelona in a deal worth a reported fee of £18m, the left-back has gone on to make 127 appearances for the Toffees across all competitions, chipping in with six goals and 20 assists, showing how much of an attacking talent he has been from the left full-back position.

Having been labelled as a player who has a "wand of a left foot" by former Villa loanee Ross Barkley in the past, Digne has found himself in a difficult situation at Goodison Park in recent weeks after a reported behind-the-scenes falling out with manager Rafa Benitez has put his future at the club in jeopardy, with a January exit looking likely for the player.

With this in mind, Digne could be the ideal player for Villa to sign and give Gerrard what he wants this month, especially as a more attack-minded full-back with Targett only managing to score three goals and provide five assists in 88 appearances for the Villans.

Also, with Villa having Matt Targett and 36-year-old Ashley Young as the only two players in their squad that predominantly play in the left-back position, it could be worth the Midlands club adding some extra quality in that position, which would surely leave a lot of Villa fans buzzing.

Taking all of this into account, it's definitely worth Villa approaching Everton at some point this month to see if they can work out a deal that would see the 28-year-old make the move to Villa Park and potentially get his season back on track and improve Gerrard's squad at the same time.

However, with fellow Premier League clubs Newcastle United, West Ham United and Chelsea all reportedly interested in signing the £27m-rated Frenchman this month, it could be a challenge for Villa to secure his signature.

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