Aston Villa transfer latest: Calvin Bassey added to six-man Steven Gerrard shortlist as sextet are made available

Steven Gerrard is reportedly readying an approach to Rangers to try and prise powerful defender Calvin Bassey from Ibrox to Aston Villa.

Villa have already spent the best part of £350m since returning to the Premier League in 2019. And they show no signs of letting up with a huge summer planned under Gerrard. Indeed, the Villans’ summer transfer business is already underway with Gerrard striking an agreement to make Philippe Coutinho’s deal permanent.

However, the Brazilian’s signing is likely to be just the first of up to another three signings at Villa ahead of a busy summer.

Indeed, Gerrard wants to add at least one new defender to his ranks, while one, possibly two, central midfielders are also being targeted.

As per the Daily Telegraph, Gerrard has made clear to Villa chiefs his wish to sign Bassey. That determination has since been underlined by the defender’s outstanding performance in the Europa League final.

As such, it was easy to see why Bassey topped our Player Ratings in the Seville-staged final.

Capable of playing in a back three or a back four, Gerrard is reportedly an enormous fan of the player. Furthermore, his versatility to switch between defensive systems is also highly appealing.

But Villa also want another defender and the Telegraph claims Burnley’s James Tarkowski will also be targeted. The paper also claims Marseille’s Duja Caleta-Car is under consideration.

Calvin Bassey just one of six Gerrard wants

Gerrard also wants new two new midfielders brought in too.

Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips remains his No 1 target though competition for the England man is likely to be tough. He will almost certainly leave this summer if the club fail to retain their Premier League status on Sunday.

However, Gerrard has other options too with Brighton’s Yves Bissouma and Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara also under consideration.

Villa saw a £25m offer for Bissouma rejected by Brighton in January and could try again if they fail to land Phillips.

Kamara, meanwhile, carries plenty of appeal given his free agent status upon leaving Marseille. To that end, OM boss Jorge Sampaoli has offered a big update on his future.

In terms of departures, Villa will look to balance the books a little by allowing a number of fringe players to depart.

As per the report, Matt Targett, Morgan Sanson, Bertrand Traore, Anwar El Ghazi, Trezeguet and Kortney Hause will all be made available this summer.

Villa going places under Steven Gerrard

With some shrewd investments this summer, Villa can well push to for the top eight next season.

Villa’s owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens clearly have some serious money to spend and have big ambitions at Aston Villa. Indeed, Sawiris is the second wealthiest man in the continent of Africa and is worth around £6.76billion.

And in Gerrard they have a manager tied down who can match their ambitions.

He showed the level of his ambition and pulling power by attracting Coutinho to the club in January. Lucas Digne was also another big-name signing that would not have been possible under Dean Smith.

Aston Villa planning massive £60m bid for Kalvin Phillips

Aston Villa will persue Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips with massive £60m bid this summer

And if they can bring in the type of quality they want to attract this summer, Villa will be hoping to more than establish themselves in the top half next season.

Indeed, long term the club will want to push for to bring European football back to Villa Park. A push for seventh, which this season would earn a UEFA Conference League spot, does not look beyond them.