Journalist Josh Holland has claimed that Ibrahim Sangare is a name frequently discussed at Aston Villa with the view to a potential move.
The PSV midfielder has been persistently linked with a move to Villa Park this summer despite the West Midlanders swooping quickly to sign former Marseille enforcer Boubacar Kamara on a free transfer just a day after the Premier League season ended back in May.
Steven Gerrard called upon John McGinn and Douglas Luiz most predominantly in his engine room last term, but there is still arguably room for further upgrades in that department, and having gained comparisons to Yaya Toure for his presence and physicality in midfield, the 24-year-old Sangare could certainly be a prime candidate to bolster the ranks.
However, according to De Telegraaf (via PSV Fans), the £21.6m-rated Ivorian isn’t up for leaving Eindhoven, with PSV manager and former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy claiming that the player ‘really wants to stay’.
Nevertheless, Holland still feels that Villa could make a move for the 24-cap Ivory Coast ace.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, he said: “I’ve been thinking and there’s a few midfielders who I think Villa could go for.
“I know that Sangaré and PSV keeps on getting mentioned, and he’s got a release clause of £35m.”
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While Luiz enters the final 12 months of his contract at Villa, signing a desirable replacement this summer shouldn’t be out of the question.
Sangare, who has been described as being similar to £85 million superstar Aurelien Tchouameni, impressed last term in the Netherlands, finishing with an average SofaScore match rating for the Eredivisie season of 7.38, seeing him rank fourth among his teammates, while he played a starring role in the Dutch Cup final against Ajax, finishing with a 7.7 match rating alongside fellow midfield anchor Erick Gutierrez.
Despite his reserved position, the 6ft 3in star also weighed in with three goals and two assists in 29 league matches, and after a run to the Europa Conference League quarter-finals, he could also bring continental experience that could prove pivotal for Gerrard as he looks to achieve Villa’s long-term goal of qualifying for European football.