According to reports, rumoured Aston Villa transfer target Matias Vecino could be available for around £6m in the summer.

What's the story?

Reports just before the January transfer window opened suggested that the Uruguay international was a target for Dean Smith's side as they looked to strengthen their midfield.

Now, Italian publication CalcioMercato claim that Vecino has been made available for a transfer in the summer, and that with his contract coming to an end in 2022, could be allowed to leave for a little as £6m.

The report adds that Inter are keen to offload him now, rather than lose him for free when his contract expires next year.

Perfect for Dean Smith

In the 29-year-old, Villa would be signing a deep-lying playmaker blessed with a “terrific range of passing” should a deal for the Uruguayan go through.

The £75k-a-week earning Vecino looks to be a tailor-made midfielder for Smith given his ability to control the game and also step in and make a tackle - as per Whoscored, the veteran's career average of two tackles per game is considerably better than any of Villa's current midfield options from this season in the Premier League, while only Ross Barkley can post better numbers than his 1.5 shots per match.

A profile from ESPN said: "Part of Vecino's charm is the fact that he tends to bring a little bit of everything to the table -- something modern midfielders are increasingly asked to do. He can pass well, he can tackle, and is both physical and graceful: the former Empoli man has, in short, the toolkit needed to shine not just in Italy, but (hopefully) also among Europe's elite."

While Villa have been linked with a potential big-money swoop for Sheffield United's Sander Berge, Vecino's experience and far cheaper price surely makes him the kind of impressive bargain that Johan Lange should be all over.

Meanwhile, Villa could find a new Gareth Barry in this man...