Aston Villa: £30m star 'doesn't fit Gerrard's plans' at Villa Park

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By Louie Chandler

Published Jul 31, 2022

Aston Villa are looking to bolster their midfield options this summer but one reported target does not fit Steven Gerrard's plans.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Aston Villa at London Stadium on March 13, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Aston Villa may be looking at alternative targets to Ibrahim Sangare with Steven Gerrard unsure whether the midfielder would be the right fit at Villa Park, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The West Midlands side are in the middle of their preparations for the 2022-23 campaign but new faces could still arrive at the club before the transfer window comes to an end.

What is the latest on Ibrahim Sangare?

According to Football Insider, Aston Villa, alongside Leicester City, have submitted an enquiry to PSV Eindhoven over the availability of Sangare.

The Ivory Coast international has a reported £30 million release clause in his contract but could be sold for £21 million.

Standing at 6ft 2in, Sangare has also caught the eye of Manchester United and Chelsea this summer, with the two ‘big six’ sides looking to bolster their respective midfields.

Gerrard has already added to his midfield options this summer, swooping for highly-rated Frenchman Boubacar Kamara after he left Marseille on a free transfer.

But the Liverpool legend is seemingly not done in the market just yet.

What has Jones said on the search for Sangare?

Jones understands that while Villa remains on the hunt for another midfielder, they are not in the market for another defensive option.

He claims that Gerrard is instead more interested in signing a ‘number eight’ type player.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones said: “They’re looking for an eight. I can't claim to have seen loads of Sangare but I'm not sure that he's an eight as such. I think he's more of a six. So I'm not sure that he's the exact type of fit that I've heard Gerrard is looking for.”

Would Sangare be a good signing for Villa?

While Sangare is clearly a player with plenty of talent, they are not necessarily talents needed at Villa Park right now.

With Kamara signing this summer, Gerrard has three defensive midfielders at his disposal with Douglas Luiz and Marvelous Nakamba already available to him.

Last season saw the club utilise an attacking 4-3-3 formation under Gerrard so it is easy to see why he is keen to bring in reinforcements for those more advanced midfield roles instead.
Carney Chukwuemeka continues to be linked with a move away, with AC Milan and Newcastle United both rumoured to be interested, so the situation could change were the youngster to leave.