Aston Villa reportedly looking at ‘very skilled’ midfielder, have an alternative

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Aston Villa are interested in signing Marko Grujic from Premier League rivals Liverpool in the summer transfer window, according to Goal.com.

Liverpool are ready to sell the Serbia international midfielder this summer, with Hertha Berlin leading the race, according to the report.

The report has claimed that the Reds do not want to loan him out and are looking for £20 million as transfer fee for a permanent exit.

Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Moenchengladbach, Werder Bremen, Atalanta and Crystal Palace all are reportedly interested in the 24-year-old midfielder, and so are Aston Villa, who are claimed to have discussed the possibility of signing the Serbian, with the report adding that they are more likely to go after Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing.

Good signing for Aston Villa?

Villa manager Dean Smith does need to add good quality players in his midfield, and the progress that Grujic has made during his loan spell at Hertha Berlin suggests that he is ready to play regularly in the Premier League.

Described by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as “a big talent” and “a very skilled player” on the club’s official website in January 2016, the 24-year-old can hold his own in the middle of the park and would make the Villans stronger.

Stats

According to WhoScored, Grujic scored four goals and provided one assist in 29 Bundesliga matches for Hertha this past season, and scored five goals and provided one assist in 22 league games in 2018-19.

According to WhoScored, Billing made 29 starts and five substitute appearances in the Premier League for Bournemouth during the 2019-20 campaign, scoring one goal and providing one assist in the process.