Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard ‘will be asking’ the club’s hierarchy to sign ‘at least one of’ Allan Saint-Maximin and Noni Madueke this summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Midlands outfit have been linked to both wingers in recent weeks as they plan further additions to their first-team squad ahead of next season.

What is the latest news involving Aston Villa?

According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle United are surprisingly willing to part ways with Saint-Maximin despite his eye-catching performances and immense popularity at St. James’ Park.

It’s believed that the Magpies have placed a £50 million price tag on the former France Under-21 international, and the proceeds of his sale will top up their transfer budget for the summer.

Villa are named as a potential suitor for Saint-Maximin, who has registered five goals and three assists in 28 Premier League games this term, and still has over four years left to run on his current contract.

Meanwhile, talkSPORT have claimed that the Villa Park outfit are also keeping close tabs on PSV Eindhoven’s Madueke ahead of a potential move.

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Gerrard and his assistant Gary McAllister were spotted watching the 20-year-old against Leicester City in the quarter-finals of Europa Conference League at the King Power Stadium recently.

Yet the Foxes are also thought to be keen on bringing the Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate back to his homeland, meaning a bidding war could break out.

What has O’Rourke said about Aston Villa?

Villa have spent vast sums since returning to the top-flight at the beginning of 2019/20, and O’Rourke believes Gerrard won’t be afraid to ask the club’s owners for ‘at least one of’ the £28.8m-rated Saint-Maximin or £16.2m-rated Madueke.

He told GiveMeSport: “They have got big ambitions at Villa Park, spending on the likes of Lucas Digne and Philippe Coutinho.

“So, if Steven Gerrard sees either of those players in his plans, he will be asking the club to maybe push forward and try and bring at least one of those players to Villa Park.”

Do Villa need another winger?

Gerrard loaned out Trezeguet and Anwar El Ghazi in January after being unimpressed with the pair during his short time at the club.

And summer signings under previous manager Dean Smith, Emilian Buendia and Leon Bailey, have only registered three goals and six assists in their combined 44 league outings.

In addition, Bertrand Traore has failed to produce a single goal contribution throughout 2021/22 after starting just one top-flight fixture, highlighting why Gerrard is keen to bring in additional options out wide.