Aston Villa could pursue deals for both Yves Bissouma and Kalvin Phillips this summer before deciding which player to go for, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Midlands outfit are thought to be keen on the two midfielders as manager Steven Gerrard aims to bolster his engine room options ahead of next season.

What is the latest news involving Aston Villa?

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that Arsenal ‘have an interest’ in Villa’s first-choice holding midfielder Douglas Luiz, who has entered the final 15 months of his current contract.

As a result, Gerrard’s charges have been linked to several potential replacements, and the 41-year-old tactician admitted that Brighton and Hove Albion ‘turned away’ an offer for Bissouma during the January transfer window.

A report in The Athletic claimed that the Mali international had a £50 million price tag in the winter, although that may be reduced when the market reopens as his existing deal is set to expire in 2023.

However, Villa appear to be keeping an open mind when it comes to finding Luiz’s long-term heir in the centre of the pitch.

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The Times have disclosed how they are leading the race to sign Phillips ahead of Newcastle United and West Ham, are reportedly prepared to stump up £60m to prise him away from Elland Road.

It’s claimed that Villa are set to offer the 26-year-old a whopping £10m a year to ditch his boyhood club and fend off the extensive competition for his signature.

What has Jones said about Aston Villa?

Jones believes that the Villa hierarchy may ‘go after both’ Bissouma and Phillips, though, until is ‘becomes clear’ which deal is more likely to come off.

He told GiveMeSport: “I can see a situation where they just go after both and just hope that further down the line, it becomes clear which one of them is going to open up.”

Who are Aston Villa more likely to sign?

According to The Mirror, Phillips has informed the Leeds hierarchy that he is willing to put pen to paper on fresh terms after negotiations were put on hold as they battled relegation from the Premier League.

It remains to be seen if the club and the player can reach an agreement over his wage demands, though, with the England international likely to request a sizeable increase on his £38,000-per-week wage packet.

Therefore, Bissouma may be the more achievable and cheaper option as his contract will only have 12 months left to run when the transfer market reopens for business.