Gerrard eyes cut-price Coutinho deal as Aston Villa step up transfer business

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard is eager to strengthen his squad further this summer as he plans an assault on the Premier League's top six next season.

Villa were very active in January bringing in Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona and signing Lucas Digne from Everton in addition to Calum Chambers, Robin Olsen and Kerr Smith.

Gerrard is considering buying Coutinho permanently this summer with his former Liverpool team-mate possibly available for cheaper than first thought, while they club have a growing interest in a Marseille midfielder talk of Villa being prepared the player a bumper deal.

Here are the latest Villa transfer stories.

Cut-price Coutinho

Aston Villa are confident of agreeing a cut-price deal for attacking midfielder Coutinho which, according to the Daily Mail, could see him join the club for as little as £12m.

Gerrard has made it clear he still wants to sign the 29-year-old on a permanent deal after an impressive spell on loan from Barcelona. Brazil star Coutinho has scored four goals and notched three assists in the Premier League since his January move from the Catalan giants.

It is claimed Villa have have made an initial offer of around £12million to Barcelona although no fee is agreed yet and talks between the clubs are ongoing. Villa's initial agreement with the Spanish club had an option to buy at the end of the season, set for £33million.

Barcelona are said to be keen get Coutinho's sizeable salary off their wage bill to give themselves some flexibility in the transfer market by getting rid of some of their best paid players.

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Marseille ace available

Aston Villa will offer Marseille holding midfielder Boubacar Kamara a five-year deal until 2027, according to reports.

The 22-year-old will become a free agent this summer as he is set to leave the French club when his contract expires. Villa, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid have all been touted as possible suitors for his signature and the latest reports claim that Villa boss Gerrard wants to press ahead with the transfer.

Gerrard travelled out to Marseille to watch Kamara alongside CEO Christian Purslow and Johan Lange last month as the midfielder impressed as his side beat Nantes 3-2 at the Stade Velodrome.

The Daily Mail also claim that Villa are now in talks over a transfer and the club wants to wrap up the signing of the holding midfielder on a deal which could be worth up to £150,000-a-week. Kamara has made 45 appearances this season and played a key part of Marseille's run to the Europa Conference League semi-finals.

Youngsters get chance

Gerrard has called Villa young stars Cameron Archer, Jaden Philogene-Bidace and Kaine Kesler back to train with the first team after their loans ended. Striker Archer, 20, scored seven goals in 20 games on loan at Preston in the Championship. Winger Philogene-Bidace, 20, made 11 appearances for Championship Stoke.

Gerrard said: "They're back. They can't play, unfortunately, because we're quite light in terms of numbers. They're going to continue to train with us and will be around the group. It gives me an opportunity to sit down with them, and have some good chats about the plans with them moving forward.

"They've both enjoyed their loan experiences, so we thank their clubs for looking after them and giving their time and the opportunity, Stoke and Preston, in these two situations."

Wing-back Kaine Kesler, 19, went on loan to MK Dons who lost in the League One play-offs and is due back later this week. Gerrard added: "Kaine Kesler will return in the coming days."