Aston Villa are making a late run at one of their rival's reported transfer targets and it's a move they should absolutely make...

What's the word?

According to Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett, Dean Smith's side could scupper Grady Diangana's £18m move to West Brom with interest of their own.

It's claimed that Villa and Premier League newcomers Fulham are in talks with West Ham United, the 22-year-old's contracted club, to try and come to an agreement themselves.

If they pull it off, it will then ultimately come down to Diangana's preference over personal terms, something that gives the Baggies the advantage after last season.

Forget Rashica?

This move is certainly an audacious one from Smith but given their plans to bolster the squad with young English talent, it makes a ton of sense.

Villa could do with a regular left-winger as it will allow skipper Jack Grealish to thrive back in a central role, so regular game time is certainly something on offer in the claret and blue.

The young Irons winger was electric at the Hawthorns last term, providing eight goals and six assists whilst averaging 2.4 dribbles, 1.6 shots and 1.4 key passes per appearance, via WhoScored.

Such displays led to high praise indeed - former Villans midfielder Lee Hendrie claimed that Diangana was a "total nightmare" for opposition defenders and fellow Sky Sports EFL pundit Keith Andrews described his playing style as "explosive".

A move for the Hammers starlet would all but certainly end interest in Milot Rashica. The Bremen talisman would have been a nice addition at Villa Park, but there's no way of knowing how he'd adapt to a new league. Something that puts Diangana slightly ahead.

It remains to be seen if Villa will offer the £18m that the Baggies have on the table, but perhaps they need to, it'll help ensure that they have the best chance of raiding him from their grasp.

Potentially it's a win-win all-round.

AND in other news, Aston Villa leading the race to sign "immense talent" with 96 caps...