Last year, the transfer market was an unforgiving whirlwind period for Dean Smith and Christian Purslow.

On their way to preparing for the Premier League, they splashed over £100m on a multitude of new signings.

The plan, it seemed, was to sign players that the club could develop, rather than proven individuals.

That was evident in Villa's desire to bring the likes of Tyrone Mings, Trezeguet and Matt Targett, to name a few, to the Midlands. 

A large portion of their players are far from the finished article but another large spending spree could be on the cards.

It's been reported that Smith's men could spend another £100m on improving a squad which only just stayed in the top-flight.

The Villans endured a tough campaign and survived by the skin of their teeth, drawing 1-1 with West Ham on the final day.

Dean Smith and John McGinn

Though, one player who could improve them considerably is a highly sought-after player, someone who could break their transfer record.

That happens to be Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard.

The Frenchman has been linked with the Premier League in the past and it was recently suggested by one pundit that he could cost in the region of £40m.

Villa's interest was revealed by journalist James Rushton who was speaking on the latest edition of the Birmingham Mail's Claret and Blue podcast.

He stated: "Edouard is definitely on Villa’s radar but whether they actually move for him, it’s hard to say."

Odsonne Edouard celebrates

GIVEMESPORT'S Matt Dawson says...

This would be a breathtaking piece of business from Villa.

Edouard is one of the most clinical forwards in European football and was named Celtic's Player of the Season in 2019/20, a campaign that saw the 22-year-old net 27 strikes and also create 19 assists for his teammates. 

It was an enthralling season for a player who is right at the top of the game.

Former Villa boss Martin O'Neill has also declared that he's Celtic's best striker since Henrik Larsson, reserving special praise for the Frenchman.

"There’s so much to his game. There’s an ability to hold the ball up. Some scorers are only that.

"But he has ability, strength and power and looks like he has everything to his game," he said.

Edouard celebrates

Considering Villa's faults in front of goal this season, he'd be the ideal person to take on the mantle.

Villa signed three forwards, Wesley, Mbwana Samatta and Borja Baston in the last two windows but they only scored a combined total of six Premier League goals - one of those came from the boot of Samatta while Baston failed to find the back of the net at all.

If Smith wants a smoother ride in 2020/21, signing someone of Edouard's quality is vitally important.