Aston Villa could launch a move for Raul de Tomas before the summer transfer deadline on September 1st...

What's the word?

According to journalist Dean Jones, the Espanyol striker is a player that the Midlands outfit have "explored" ahead of a potential swoop.

The former Real Madrid graduate has been linked with a switch to Villa Park throughout the off-season but time is running out to make a move, with the LaLiga outfit wanting around €35m (£29m) for his signature.

"I think it’s one that’s been explored," he told GIVEMESPORT.

"I think that ultimately, Steven Gerrard needs to know for sure that it definitely elevates their goal output for next season. That’s what he’s trying to make sure of, there can be no risks taken here."

Imagine De Tomas and Coutinho

De Tomas has proven to be an exceptional talisman in front of goal in recent seasons.

The 27-year-old forward bagged a whopping 23 goals in 37 appearances as he fired the Parakeets to the second division title in 2020/21 and he continued that fine form in the Spanish top-flight last season, finding the net on 17 occasions to take his total for the club to 45, as per Transfermarkt.

Self-proclaimed to be a "pacey, competitive and technically gifted goal-scorer," the Spain international could be the perfect marksman to get on the end of Philippe Coutinho's creativity at the top of Steven Gerrard's engine room.

Villa have somewhat struggled for goals throughout pre-season, managing no more than two goals in their last four outings, including a 1-0 win over Premier League rivals Leeds United.

Meanwhile, last campaign, Ollie Watkins (11) was the only player to surpass double figures for goals in the top-flight, with Danny Ings (seven) lagging slightly behind.

Coutinho only joined the club on loan in January and quickly become an integral part of their transformation as he finished the campaign on eight goal contributions from only 16 starts, via WhoScored.

The Brazilian ranked inside the top 2% of his positional peers in the Premier League for passes into the final third (4.61), so De Tomas could thrive off this sort of service.

FBref have likened the Espanyol star's statistical profile to that of former Liverpool frontman Luis Suarez, someone who benefitted from Coutinho in his prime at Anfield. The duo combined provided 38 goals and 32 assists across 41 matches when they were both on the pitch at the same time, via Transfermarkt.

Gerrard now could find his next exciting partnership in De Tomas and Coutinho, should sporting director Johan Lange follow up their interest with a formal bid.

AND in other news, Talks ongoing: Lange could strike gold at Villa as Preece drops 9-word contract update...