Aston Villa ready bid for 21-year-old who won 2.6 tackles per game last term - report

Aston Villa are weighing up a formal bid for Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure, Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur claims.

Villa have been active in the transfer market this summer, and they have already made five signings, spending over £95 million.

Their spending spree is likely to continue after the £100m windfall from Jack Grealish’s transfer to Manchester City this month.

Having already reinforced the attack and defence, their focus now appears in midfield with Doucoure regarded as a top target.

Lens value the 21-year-old at £12.7m (€15m). Villa are reportedly prepared to test their resolve with an opening bid of £10m.

Sportslens view:

Villa anticipated Grealish’s exit, and they have strengthened the attack sufficiently with Emiliano Buendia, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings.

They are known to be eyeing a new midfielder, and recently attempted to sign Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse.

Doucoure is a completely different profile of a midfielder compared to Ward-Prowse, given he likes to operates in the defensive role.

His stats have been impressive with Lens over the past season. He averaged 2.6 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game in Ligue 1.

He is available at an affordable price for Villa. Doucoure would provide competition for places which appears the club’s main focus this summer.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com