Aston Villa must look to sign PSG midfielder Rafinha this summer amid a recent transfer claim.

What's the story?

According to reports in Spain, the French giants - who have just signed Lionel Messi - are ready to let Rafinha leave this summer in order to raise some funds and Villa could come in for the Brazilian.

And now, speaking exclusively to FFC, Ligue 1 expert Adam White said: "I think he has already been pushed quite significantly towards the exit at PSG and he would be a good signing for Villa.

"The Premier League is a little bit of a step up and he wouldn't be playing in such a dominant team, so that's perhaps something that Villa fans will need to think about. PSG would be keen to sell."

Messi rates him highly

Talking about the 27-year-old, former Barca defender Andreu Fontas once said: "Rafinha is a great player. Physically, he is a beast and, technically, he is superb."

As per Whoscored, the midfielder boasted an impressive 90.9% pass accuracy in Ligue 1 last season (considerably better than any Villa player with more than one start), while he also averaged 2.3 tackles per match as well (only Matty Cash fared better with 2.5).

The £13.5m-rated play-maker could bring that same fearlessness and intensity both on and off the ball to Villa Park should Smith land his man this summer.

And, given reports have previously claimed that now PSG superstar Messi rates the Brazilian very highly and was completely on board with seeing the midfielder become a prominent part of Barcelona's side, is a real indication of just how talented he is.

Villa could strike gold with a deal for Rafinha.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has dropped a new Aston Villa transfer update...