Gerrard risks missing out on top targets as Villa spending drought drags on

Aston Villa's flirt with relegation last season kick-started a pointed approach to the transfer window with marquee signings such as making Philippe Coutinho's loan deal permanent.

Boubacar Kamara and Diego Caros followed soon afterwards and it seemed that Villa were a club determined to go somewhere.

Since then the targets the momentum seems to have been lost with the loan signing of Ludwig Augustinsson the only new arrival in the last six week.

And things appear to be getting worse rather than better.

Konraid Laimer blow

Even the opportunity to work with Steven Gerrard seems to have failed to swerve Konrad Laimer from his decision to stay in Germany.

The highly-regarded RB Leipzig central midfielder seems to have set his heart on a move to Bayern Munich and Villa's £17m offer is not enough to hijack the deal.

Gerrard is still after additional recruitment in midfield despite the signing of Boubacar Kamara earlier this summer.

Otavio no go

Villa's valuation is £25m according to Mais Football and the player's release clause of £35m rises to £55m at close of business today.

Increasingly it looks as though Portugal star Otavio will not be coming to Villa Park.

Indeed despite having his prize asset linked with Leeds and Liverpool also, increasingly even Otavio's agent is admitting a move might not happen.

He told the Record in Portugal that the Porto playmaker is "not for sale"

Rangers open door for Bassey move

One positive indication for Steven Gerrard is the admission by Giovanni van Bronckhorst that Calvin Bassey would be allowed to join up again with his former boss provided the price is right.

Gerrard used Bassey as a centre-back and left back at Ibrox and has been tracking him since.

Rangers' preference is to keep the 22-year-old who came through in the Midlands with Leicester, but van Bronckhorst told The Herald, "you never know" when asked about a potential sale.

The problem Villa has is they are competing with other teams in the Bundesliga, as well as Ajax, whose interest will also be piqued by these latest comments.