Aston Villa are in pursuit of Genk centre-forward Mbwana Samatta, according to the Sun.
The newspaper claims that Leicester, Watford and Burnley are also interested in the 26-year-old Tanzania international, but it is Brighton who are currently leading the chase for his signature.
It is understood that Samatta is valued at £12million by Genk after a stunning 2018/19 season in which he scored 32 goals and supplied six assists in 51 appearances across all competitions.
Good move for Aston Villa?
There is no dispute that Samatta had a brilliant season with Genk as he was involved in 38 goals and helped his side to win the Belgian league title and reach the knock-out stages of the Europa League.
However there have to be doubts about whether at the age of 26, the Tanzanian striker can make the step up from the Belgian top-flight to the Premier League and continue in a similar vein of form.
Aston Villa need to sign a couple of strikers this summer and Samatta might be a good back-up option if they sign someone who is proven in the top tier of English football.
Samatta’s £12million price-tag is quite reasonable and if Villa end up with him and say Neal Maupay as their two striker options next season, fans might be quite pleased with that.
This is Futbol rating 6/10
Likely to happen?
Brighton are currently winning the chase for Samatta judging by the Sun’s report, so at the moment, Villa have a lot of work to do in order to put themselves into pole position.
As it stands, a deal is looking unlikely but it is still early days in the summer transfer window and that could change.
This is Futbol rating 2/10