Aston Villa could make a move for Ibrahim Sangare this summer...

What's the word?

That's according to Midlands reporter Josh Holland, who has namedropped the PSV Eindhoven midfielder as a potential target for Steven Gerrard's side.

"I’ve been thinking and there’s a few midfielders who I think Villa could go for," he told GIVEMESPORT. "I know that Sangaré and PSV keeps on getting mentioned, and he’s got a release clause of £35m."

Indeed, the Ivory Coast international is someone who has been linked with a switch to Villa Park for much of the off-season, although the likes of Premier League rivals Liverpool, Leicester City and Newcastle United are also said to be keen.

Shades of Gueye

Villa may not need another central midfielder just yet, given the arrival of Boubacar Kamara from Marseille on a free transfer, but with Douglas Luiz mooted with a switch to AC Milan, it wouldn't hurt to prepare for that eventuality.

In fact, adding Sangare to Gerrard's squad could be hugely beneficial as he could form a nice partnership with the Frenchman in a double defensive midfield pivot, thus allowing a more creative talent like Philippe Coutinho more freedom in the final third.

The 6 foot 3 brute could bring shades of Idrissa Gueye back to Villa Park, having been described as being the "complete player" by his former Toulouse boss Alain Casanova.

Meanwhile, journalist African journalist Alpha Balde has compared him to two former Premier League stars (via GOAL).

"Physically, he’s like Yaya Toure but he reminds me of Michael Essien," he claimed. "I saw Essien at the start of his career and they had the same physical strength at an equal age. Sangare is also passionate."

Only Cody Gakpo, who has also been linked with a move to the English top-flight this summer, registered a better average WhoScored rating for the 2021/22 campaign.

Sangare also led the squad for tackles (3.3 per game) and interceptions (2.6 per game), highlighting his intelligence and defensive nous. He continued that form in the Europa League, registering 3.5 tackles and 1.8 interceptions, proving that he can do it on the big stage and not just in the Eredivisie.

Regardless of whether Luiz remains a Villa player or departs this window, sporting director Johan Lange could do little wrong in adding Sangare to Gerrard's squad.

He could form a powerful and frightening partnership alongside Kamara and bring shades of Gueye back to the club, given his obvious defensive qualities.

AND in other news, Lange could unearth a huge Ings upgrade as Aston Villa eye £42.5m “phenomenon"...