A big claim has emerged regarding Aston Villa's chances of landing Raul de Tomas in the summer transfer window... 

What's the talk?

Journalist Pete O'Rourke has claimed that the striker would consider a move to the club ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The reporter has pointed to the recent dealings under Steven Gerrard as evidence that they have the allure to pull in big signings.

He told Football FanCast: "Villa have had success in the transfer window in the last couple, bringing in Coutinho and then bringing in Diego Carlos and Boubacar Kamara already this summer as well.

"So they have got the clout to go out there and sign the best players in Europe. And I'm sure that De Tomas would give serious thought to go into going to Villa if an offer was made for his services."

Imagine him & Ollie Watkins

Villa could land an exciting attacking duo by signing De Tomas to partner him with Ollie Watkins in the Premier League next season.

The Spaniard, who is reportedly available for €35m (£30m), previously explained to Real Madrid's official website what kind of player he is, saying: “I am a pacey, competitive and technically gifted goal-scorer."

He has backed up his own claims by performing to a high level in the last two seasons for Espanyol. In La Liga last term, the striker found the net 17 times in 33 starts as he averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.09.

This came after he scored 23 goals in the second tier of Spanish football in 2020/21 to help his side win promotion back to the top flight,

These statistics suggest that he has the potential to be a consistent goalscorer for Villa, as he has proven himself in a major European league.

Meanwhile, Watkins has been a reliable scorer for the Midlands club in his two seasons since joining from Brentford. He has scored 25 goals and set up seven in the Premier League, which shows that he has the quality to make a big impact in the final third, scoring and setting up goals for Gerrard's team.

Imagine him and De Tomas lining up at the top end of the pitch for Villa and destroying opposition defences with their knack for finding the net. It is an exciting prospect and one that the Espanyol goal machine would consider making a reality, as O'Rourke has claimed.

AND in other news, "Not interested": Journalist drops Villa claim that'll leave Steven Gerrard gutted...