Aston Villa are reportedly planning to make a move for Marseille midfielder Morgan Sanson if they avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.
Dean Smith's side, who face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, are currently one point above the bottom three with 11 games to go.
The Midlands club are starting to flesh out their transfer plans for the summer and they are thought to be working to two different scenarios: one in which they avoid the drop and one in which they suffer an immediate return to the Championship.
According to French publication Le Phoceen, 25-year-old midfielder Sanson, who has scored four goals and got four assists in 26 league games this season, will be one of Villa's top targets if they survive.
The former Montpellier player has been linked with a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the past, with Everton and Manchester United also thought to be admirers.
Marseille, who are currently on course to finish second in Ligue 1 this season, may be forced to sell the £30m-rated midfielder in the summer to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
