Aston Villa were credited with an interest in Lille striker Jonathan David earlier in the summer transfer window, and the Canada international would represent a big upgrade on Danny Ings in Steven Gerrard's side.

It was suggested that both West Ham and Villa were interested in signing the forward this summer, while the Premier League was touted as his next destination after successful spells in France and Belgium.

The 22-year-old is highly regarded in world football and enjoyed another impressive season with Lille in 2021/22, scoring 15 goals in 38 Ligue 1 appearances for Les Dogues.

By contrast, goals were hard to come by for Ings following his £25m switch from Southampton last summer, as he managed just seven in 30 Premier League appearances.

The Englishman also averaged fewer shots, dribbles and key passes per game than David, which suggests that the 22-year-old has the edge on the former Liverpool man in terms of all-round play.

While the Canadian would represent a fairly expensive option for Gerrard, with reports suggesting that he would cost £42.5m, he is seven years younger than Ings and appears to have a much higher ceiling, so he could really add some attacking quality to the Villans ahead of the new season.

During David's time with Gent, for whom he racked up 37 goals and 15 assists in just 82 appearances, manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck was full of praise for him, saying: “He is a phenomenon. The best player in the country."

The young striker has managed to maintain a similar scoring rate during his time in France, hitting 32 goals in 95 appearances for Les Dogues, helping them to win the French title in the 2020/21 season.

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Therefore, there seems little to suggest that he wouldn't be a success in the Premier League next season, and he appears to be a significant upgrade on Ings, both in the short run and the long-term.

If a deal for the young Canada striker can be done, then Johan Lange should definitely try and bring him to Villa Park.

AND in other news: Lange can seal a new “world-class” talent as Villa close in on fifth summer signing