According to a recent report coming from the Bristol Post, Aston Villa are one of the teams trying to secure a deal for Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah.

The same source claims that Villa are already desperate to get this deal over the line since they see the youngster as someone who could replace the injured Wesley Moraes up front.

Of course, the 20-year-old is very much a big talent who's still emerging from his cocoon but he's already caught the eye of some of the big names in the world of football.

But who exactly has praised Nketiah and what exactly have people had to say about the young Gunner?

Let's find out...

Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds manager

Nketiah spent the first half of the season on loan at Leeds United and was playing under the watchful eye of Marcelo Bielsa.

Interestingly enough, it seems that the 20-year-old forward managed to impress his gaffer as the coach praised both his mentality and his ability, calling him a great professional and a real gentleman following the confirmation of his return to Arsenal.

Here's what he said, as quoted by Wakefield Express:

"He's a specialist great player with a lot of resources and our play is a collective way of playing and one player needs to adapt to this style.

"He didn't take this decision but he is a great player, an excellent professional and he had very good behaviour, he is a gentleman in every sense."

On another occasion, he even dubbed him a "complete player", as quoted by Yorkshire Post:

"He’s a striker with goals. Some players are involved a lot before the finish, before the chance.

"Nketiah is more involved in the end of the action, not in the creation. Anyway, he has good characteristics to combine with team-mates. Give options to the team. Complete player."

Arsene Wenger, former Arsenal coach

If an Arsenal legend such as Wenger heaps praise on you, you know you're doing something right.

And that's exactly what happened in 2017 after Nketiah's heroics in the EFL Cup for the Gunners.

He came off the bench and scored a brace to lead his team past Norwich City after extra time at the Emirates Stadium, warranting heaps of praise by his gaffer.

Here's what Wenger said, as quoted by FourFourTwo:

"I know he has character and is not afraid.

"He smells the combination movements, he can give and go and once a player has that in his game, they have always a chance. The guys who can understand that if they give the ball somewhere and they can get it back and know where to get it back, the quality of reception is a very important quality.

"I would say the quality of the reception, he has that."

Red Herring or Real Hero: Only hardcore Villa fans will get all of them right....

Michael Owen, former player

Another icon who's given his blessing to Nketiah is the legendary Michael Owen.

When talking to BT Sport, the now 40-year-old retired forward addressed Nketiah's comparisons with Ian Rush and lauded him as a top player in the process.

Here's what he said, as relayed by Tribuna:

"This lad looks like he is a real top player. I was speaking to Ian Wright about him the other day, only because a lot of people were saying to me 'he plays like Ian Wright, on the shoulder'. He likes running in behind. He scores goals. Maybe he can improve his hold-up play."

Verdict

If the verdicts above are anything to go by, Nketiah truly looks like a top prospect.

Villa are right to target him and could land themselves a real talent if this reported deal goes through.