Aston Villa braced for Lamare Bogarde bids as Brighton and Sunderland monitor | OneFootball

Aston Villa are preparing for summer interest in Lamare Bogarde, with the versatile midfielder yet to agree a new deal.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, long-time admirers Brighton and fellow suitors Sunderland are tracking the 22-year-old, and Villa would consider bids close to their valuation.

Bogarde made 44 appearances last season in a breakthrough year, filling in centrally and at right-back. He signed his latest contract in March last year, though talks over a longer deal are on hold.

Any move from Sunderland is likely to depend on the future of their captain, Granit Xhaka, who this week was the subject of a rejected bid from Chelsea.

Villa want a right-back to compete with Matty Cash, but attempts to sign Emerson Royal from Flamengo have stalled. He is viewed as good value, yet Flamengo are unwilling to sanction a move because they lack cover in the position.

Emery also wants a striker and two attacking wide players, with Villa again treading carefully to avoid further financial rule breaches.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com