Aston Villa are "determined" to sign Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie and ready to put down a big-money offer for him.

What's the story?

Reports in recent days have suggested that Dean Smith's side are keen on luring the USA international to Villa Park this summer, and it now appears that Johan Lange and co are desperate to make that happen.

According to Italian publication Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), there is a long line of suitors for McKennie with Juventus fully aware that he could bring in some good money.

The report adds that while Spurs are in the running too, both Villa and Crystal Palace are "determined to invest cash" to sign him ahead of the competition.

Fans will be buzzing

Hailed as a "leader" by David Wagner, McKennie has already built up top-level experience by playing in the Champions League with Juventus, and also appearing on the international stage a number of times for the USA.

His former boss at Juventus, Andrea Pirlo, hailed him as a "rock" and added: "He’s young and can improve a lot. In my opinion, he’s a midfielder who can play as a No 8 in a three in midfield, right or left. He gets in the box and scores goals but he’s also very good at winning the ball back.

"His role is in a three in midfield as one of the two players on either side of the regista. Last year we played in a different system, so he had to adapt."

As per CIES, McKennie's value stands at an eye-watering £60m, not least due to him playing for a big club like Juventus now, but also because of his considerable ability and experience already at just 22 years of age.

Given the kind of impressive signings Villa have already made this summer - not least the likes of Emi Buendia, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings - one area that they haven't actually addressed is central midfield.

In McKennie, they would be getting someone as Pirlo says, who can play in a number of different roles in the engine room, and also have the ability and dynamism to break into the box and score goals too.

Whether it's winning the ball back, or making late runs into the area, McKennie appears to be the kind of do-it-all midfielder that would surely get fans excited. So, news that they club are "determined" to land him this summer should have them absolutely buzzing.

Meanwhile, Gregg Evans has dropped a late night Aston Villa claim...