Aston Villa are ‘continuing to monitor’ the situation of Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car as the summer transfer window approaches, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months and could be available in a cut-price deal after entering the final 15 months of his current contract.

What is the latest news involving Caleta-Car?

According to the Daily Mail, West Ham United had a bid rejected for Caleta-Car in January after proposing a six-month loan deal that included an option to buy.

It’s claimed that Marseille value the centre-back at £15 million and were only interested in letting him depart the Stade Vélodrome on a permanent basis.

However, with his existing deal expiring next summer, Football Insider have now revealed that Villa have joined the race for Caleta-Car’s signature.

The report states that Villa manager Steven Gerrard and the club’s hierarchy personally scouted the Croatia international as Marseille beat Nantes 3-2 in a recent Ligue 1 match as they search for a more dominant defender.

And the 6 foot 4 rising star is no stranger to having admirers from Merseyside, with Liverpool coming ‘very close’ to signing him in the winter of 2021.

French outlet RMC Sport disclosed how Caleta-Car was ready to take off in a private jet to sign for Jurgen Klopp’s charges before talks broke down between the two clubs.

What has O’Rourke said about Caleta-Car?

O’Rourke believes that Villa ‘will be looking to strengthen’ in the heart of defence ahead of next season and Caleta-Car will a player on the club’s radar.

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He told GiveMeSport: “Caleta-Car has been a long-term target for a number of Premier League clubs in the last few years.

“The Croatian centre-back has been linked with Liverpool and Newcastle in the past, and obviously, I think centre-back is another position that Villa will be looking to strengthen in the summer. So, I'm sure Caleta-Car is somebody that Villa are continuing to monitor.”

Would Caleta-Car be a good signing?

As per WhoScored, Caleta-Car has won 1.3 aerial duels while also averaging two clearances and 69.1 passes per league game, placing him in the top three for each metric amongst his teammates.

Gerrard is believed to be unconvinced over the long-term credentials of his current centre-back partnership made up of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa, and the Marseille ace could be an instant update.

It remains to be seen if Villa made a formal offer for Caleta-Car, but it seems as though his long-awaited Premier League move is edging ever closer.