Aston Villa are reportedly amongst the Premier League clubs interested in signing 19-year-old Peterborough United defender Ronnie Edwards.

What's the story?

That's according to The Sun, who claim that the English youngster is valued at £10m despite being relegated to League One with the Posh this term.

Grant McCann couldn't steady the ship after replacing Darren Ferguson in February with the Cambridgeshire side finishing 22nd after just one season back in the second tier.

However, Edwards has caught the eye of numerous clubs, including Villa, with his impressive displays, making 38 appearances across all competitions this season.

Villa should sign Edwards

Although £10m for a player relegated from the Championship seems seriously steep, at just 19 Edwards has already shown maturity well above his age group.

The centre-back deemed an "incredible talent" by former manager Ferguson now has the experience of playing regular first-team football at a high level and could certainly be moulded into a Premier League-quality defender.

With four caps for England U19s whilst being set to compete at the U19 European Championship this summer, Edwards' stock is rising at a rapid rate amid top-flight interest and it appears as though there is very little doubt that the Posh starlet won't be playing in League One next season.

Although, the report claims that McCann's side could look to sell the defender and have him return next season on loan, however, playing in the third tier could slow down his development.

It was also insisted by Peterborough's director of football Barry Fry that the club would only allow Edwards to depart for a record fee with the Posh's record sale the £6.2m departure of Britt Assombalonga in 2014.

With an average of 43.6 passes a match with an 88% accuracy whilst making 60.3 touches and providing 1.8 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and 3.7 clearances, the 19-year-old has shown quality well above the expected standard of a bottom-three Championship outfit.

Breaking into the Aston Villa side now would be an incredibly big ask, especially after the West Midlands outfit announced the £26m capture of Diego Carlos this week.

However, Steven Gerrard could certainly nurture the teenager whilst also allowing him to develop out on loan with the centre-back certainly one for the future.

AND in other news: Forget Carlos: AVFC must now seal swoop for "astonishing" £25m star, Gerrard needs him...