Aston Villa set for further talks with key summer transfer target linked with Manchester United

Aston Villa are set to steal a march on a number of Premier League rivals by holding further talks with one of their key transfer targets.

Villa manager Steven Gerrard is believed to be a keen admirer of Marseille star Boubacar Kamara and has watched the versatile midfielder on a number of occasions.

The former Rangers boss was at the Stade Velodrome last month to watch the former France Under-21 international in action against Nantes - and was sufficiently impressed to step up his interest in securing his signature this summer.

The 22-year-old has attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur during the season after helping the French giants challenge at the top end of the Ligue 1 table and reach the last four of the Europa Conference League.

Marseille have made several attempts to extend Kamara’s current contract - but as yet they are unable to find an agreement and the midfielder is now set to depart on a free transfer at the end of June.

The Mail have reported Villa will hold further talks with the midfielder as Gerrard looks to boost his options in the middle of the park.

The report also suggests Atletico Madrid star Geoffrey Kondogbia, Brighton’s Yves Bissouma and Leeds and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips are also under consideration.