Aston Villa have reportedly opened discussions with Leicester City over the potential transfer of Christian Fuchs, per the Mirror.

What’s the word?

The Mirror are reporting that Villa have enquired about the potential to take the one-time Premier League winner on loan until the end of the season, as Dean Smith looks to guide his side back into the top-flight.

Fuchs was an integral part of Claudio Ranieri’s historic Premier League winning side in 2015/16, and featured in 32 of the 38 games that saw the Foxes edge Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to the title.

It was the former Schalke man’s first season in England, but he has since fallen away from the glory days as Claude Puel continues to prefer Ben Chilwell to the 78-cap former Austrian international.

The 6 foot 2 left-back has only ventured onto the field five times so far this season in all competitions, playing at Crystal Palace in December, featuring in each of Leicester’s three Carabao Cup ties and returning to the starting line-up at Newport for Sunday’s FA Cup tie.

Villa, meanwhile, are particularly short in cover for the left-back spot, with right-back Alan Hutton often forced to ply his trade on the opposite flank.

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A costly but worthwhile move

If a deal is to be struck between the two sides, the Mirror understands Leicester will demand Villa pay all of Fuch’s believed £60,000-a-week contract for the duration of the loan.

That may be a hefty sum for the Championship side to muster, but Smith and the Villa board should look into the possibility of raising the funds in order to solidify a stronger backline over the second half of the season.

The 32-year-old defender may be struggling for minutes in the Premier League, but would command a starting position over Neil Taylor and makeshift left-back Alan Hutton – allowing Smith to balance his backline once more.

Fuchs is also said to welcome the potential move as he looks to play regular football again. The veteran defender's contract expires at the end of the season, and he has desires to play in the MLS, with his wife a stateside native.

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