Aston Villa have been heavily linked with Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher this summer and his signing could finally allow Steven Gerrard to axe Villa flop Morgan Sanson.

Following a superb season on loan with Crystal Palace, where his performances earned him a call-up to Gareth Southgate's England squad, Gallagher has not been short of suitors so far this summer.

It is still unclear whether or not he will get guaranteed football at Stamford Bridge and Villa could offer him regular first-team minutes ahead of the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

The 22-year-old contributed eight goals and three assists in 34 appearances for Patrick Vieira's side last season, averaging a superb 7.08 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

The French manager was certainly a big fan of the 22-year-old, as he praised him last season, saying:

"He has got so much strength, so much power, so much mobility, but it's about finding the right time to use his energy.

"He is unbelievable, and he is like that in life as well. He gives everything in every relationship with his teammates and he plays in the same way as he is in his life."

Villa definitely seem to be in the market for a central midfielder this summer and should the England international arrive - with Chelsea reportedly willing to sell the youngster for a figure in the region of £50m - you feel it would put the final nail in Sanson's Villa career.

Since signing from Marseille in a £16m deal in 2021, the Frenchman has made just 20 appearances for the Villans, in which he has failed to contribute a single goal or assist.

The signing of Gallagher would surely give Gerrard enough cover in midfield and Sanson could finally be axed, with his old side Marseille said to be interested in re-signing him in a £10m deal.

Unfortunately for the 27-year-old, his move to England has simply not worked out, emphasised by his shocking 6.34 average rating in the Premier League last season.

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Therefore, Villa fans will be hoping that a deal for Gallagher can be done, as it would surely bring an end to Sanson's nightmare spell at the club.

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