Aston Villa are interested in signing Marseille midfielder Morgan Sanson.
No deal has been struck but the clubs are in talks, the PA news agency understands.
Villa are not expected to be busy in the January transfer window but do want to bring the 26-year-old to Villa Park.
Sanson helped Marseille finish second in Ligue 1 last season but they are sixth this campaign, 10 points behind leaders Paris St Germain with two games in hand.
Boss Andre Villas-Boas confirmed at the weekend there was Premier League interest in Sanson, who has also been linked with Tottenham and Arsenal.
"We'll see – the transfer window is open, Sanson is a player who is highly rated," Villas-Boas told his post-match press conference. "Officially, we have not received any offers, unless it happened during the match.
"He is a boy who interests English teams because of his characteristics, and it is possible that something could happen."
Sanson has scored 23 goals in 148 appearances for Marseille having joined from Montpellier in 2017.
Villa are 10th in the Premier League and go to Manchester City on Wednesday.
Boss Dean Smith may allow striker Keinan Davis out on loan if Wesley proves his fitness following his 12-month lay-off with a knee injury.
Stoke, Huddersfield, Swansea and Bournemouth are among the clubs said to be interested in the 22-year-old.
