Aston Villa are still in the hunt to sign Dijon forward Julio Tavares before the end of the month, according to HITC.
The news outlet claims that Villa had come close to signing Tavares, 29, on deadline day, but ran out of time to secure a permanent deal.
However it is understood that they remain hopeful of signing the £2.5million-rated Cape Verde international on loan before the end of the month, but face competition from Norwich, Blackburn and Wigan.
Good move for Aston Villa?
Tavares is the all-time top goalscorer at Dijon and has begun this season well with three goals in his opening two league games.
In total he has 67 goals in 200 appearances for the French club, but would he be able to cut the mustard in the Championship?
England’s second-tier has always been a tough league for overseas players to move to just because of how competitive and physical it is.
Tavares is 6ft 1in tall, decent in the air and knows how to hold up the ball, so there is a chance that he could flourish in the Championship having already shown his worth at Dijon in Ligue 1.
If Villa can sign him with the view to it being made permanent for £2.5million in the future, it could be a stroke of genius by Steve Bruce.
This is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
If Villa want to sign a centre-forward between now and the end of August, they are more than likely going to avoid taking a risk and sign someone who is proven to score goals in the Championship.
Tammy Abraham is someone who has been linked and surely he would be a better bet on loan than Tavares, who is also wanted by a few other second-tier clubs and could easily end up moving to one of them instead of Villa.
HITC reports that Norwich is currently a more likely destination than the West Midlands.
This is Futbol rating 4/10