Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Saint Etienne defender Florentin Pogba, brother of Juventus midfielder Paul.

Pogba is one of the earliest Villa links in this transfer window, as manager Tim Sherwood looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the upcoming season.

The centre back is out of contract at his French club next summer, and has so far failed to agree terms on a new deal, leaving Villa in which a good chance of snaring the tall player, who was in Berlin on Saturday night to watch his younger brother in the Champions League final.

Coming through the youth ranks at Celta Vigo, Pogba moved back to his homeland of France at Sedan, impressing there and earning the transfer to Saint Etienne, where he has done well in Ligue 1.

If he were to move to the Midlands, the 24-year-old would join his twin brother Mathias in England, as he plays for Crawley Town.

Any Villa move for Pogba could be seen as a directly replacement for former captain Ron Vlaar, as the Dutchman is expected to leave Villa Park this summer upon the expiry of his contract.