Yves Bissouma drawing interest from Aston Villa as Steven Gerrard looks to further bolster his side

Aston Villa have expressed an interest in Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma who is also a potential target for Newcastle United.

Bissouma is in the last 18 months of his contract and is open to a move away. 

Villa have Marvelous Nakamba injured for three months while Douglas Luiz is approaching the final 18 months of his contract. 

 Steven Gerrard is working on transforming Villa’s side having already got Philippe Coutinho in

Bissouma is currently on duty with Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon and his performances in the winter tournament will only increase speculation over his future back in England.

The 25-year-old midfielder joined Brighton in 2018 from LOSC Lille and has been a revelation on the south coast.

He has played more than 100 games for the Seagulls and has found himself on the radar of top sides including Liverpool.  

Mali international Bissouma has just 18 months left on his deal and Brighton are wary over a fee

Villa’s interest in Bissouma comes as Gerrard looks to stamp his mark on a side he inherited mid-season from Dean Smith following his sacking.

Gerrard has already put the rest of the league on notice by pulling off the loan coup of Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho, he he played alongside at Liverpool.

The deal, which Villa said on Friday is subject to completion of a medical and receiving a work permit, includes an option to buy.

Villa are currently 13th in the league but Gerrard is ambitious and wants to build a side that can challenge for Europe.

Bissouma would provide stability in the centre of the park to allow players like Coutinho the freedom to attack at will.  

Wantaway Everton full-back Lucas Digne (right) is another one Gerrard is looking at currently

Villa also have an interest in Bologna left-back Aaron Hickey and Everton’s Lucas Digne, who remains an option for West Ham. 

Everton boss Rafa Benitez confirmed on Friday that Digne has told him he wants to leave Goodison Park this month following a fall-out.  

Digne has fallen out with Benitez and has not played a single minute since the Merseyside derby defeat on December 1. He was on the bench against Brighton last week out of necessity.

‘A couple of conversations with (Digne), he told me what he thought. What do you expect the manager to do when the player is thinking about to leave?’ Benitez said.