Aston Villa have apparently joined the race to sign young Belgian sensation Dennis Praet.
The highly rated Belgium international, who is also gathering interest from Everton and Southampton, is set to leave Belgian club Anderlecht this summer for a fee believed in the region of £10m, and Villa have made an inquiry about the possibility of signing the highly-rated creative midfielder.
Competition high for Praet signature
Some of Europe's leading clubs have been pursuing the signature of Praet, who is currently represented by Stellar Group; the same football agency that looks after the likes of Manchester United's Luke Shaw and potential team-mates Scott Sinclair and Jack Grealish.
It remains to be seen whether Villa can be genuine contenders for the 21-year-old’s signature, with competition believed to be high. However it would be seen as a huge coup for Aston Villa, who have been battling relegation the last four seasons, and represent a real boost in quality for the club.
With Aston Villa close to completing a deal to sign Idrissa Gueye, the 25-year-old Senegalese international, currently playing for French club LOSC Lille, flew into Birmingham's BHX Airport on Thursday to hold talks at Aston Villa's Bodymoor Heath Training Complex ahead of a medical and view to completing the £9m move.
Optimism high over potential takeover
After four years of austerity at the Midlands club, to be linked and potentially completing the signings of Dennis Praet and Idrissa Gueye, it represents a seismic change of transfer policy for Aston Villa.
They are currently in exclusivity with a preferred bidder about a £150m takeover of the club and that demonstrates Sherwood's side means business ahead of the new season.
Attempting to bolster the squad with much needed quality to compete in the upper echelons of the Premier League, and avoiding any chance of another relegation battle, is something that will greatly please the Villa faithful.