Yves Bissouma has long been touted as one of Aston Villa's top transfer targets for the summer but in an unexpected twist, it now seems as if they have given up on signing him from Brighton.
What's the word?
After seeing a bid for the Malian midfielder rejected in January, Villa were widely expected to return for the former Lille man this summer, although reports suggested that Brighton would demand as much as £50m.
Villa were still heavily linked, however, with some reports claiming that he was Gerrard's top target as he looks to bolster his midfield options ahead of next season.
However, the Athletic's Aston Villa correspondent Gregg Evans has now revealed the latest on Villa's interest in Bissouma, writing:
"AVFC may still look for a new No.8 this summer, but BHAFC Yves Bissouma is no longer on the list. Villa have moved on."
Villa supporters will be gutted
While Villa have already brought in Boubacar Kamara on a free transfer from Aston Villa, Bissouma would have offered Gerrard a box-to-box midfielder with plenty of Premier League experience.
The 25-year-old was Brighton's best performer in the Premier League last season (of those to make at least 10 appearances) according to WhoScored, averaging an impressive 6.99 rating for his performances.
The same rating would have seen him ranked behind only John McGinn in Gerrard's side, which suggests that he could have been an excellent addition at Villa Park.
Graham Potter was full of praise for the midfielder after a superb individual performance in Brighton's impressive 1-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur last season, saying:
“Tactically Yves was really good. He understood when to cover and when to release and when to put pressure on and then you could see his qualities.
"His high-end actions are Champions League level. I think you saw the full array of his quality.”
Villa's early transfer business has certainly suggested that they are targeting a European qualification spot next season and Bissouma could have added that extra quality to Gerrard's midfield.
It is a surprise therefore that the Villans have ruled him out before the transfer window has even officially opened, and Villa supporters will no doubt be disappointed that he won't be playing in claret and blue next season.