Aston Villa are the latest Premier League club linked with a move for Lille midfielder Idrissa Gueye.

Villa are believed to have launched a £9million bid for the Senegalese playmaker, who was previously inked with Southampton, West Ham United and Crystal Palace.

Former Senegal coach Alain Giresse described Gueye as being 'as good as Jean Tigana', adding: "Gueye has stature, he has a good sense of anticipation and responds quickly. He is precise in his use of the ball and has started to add goals to his game too."

Southampton, who see Gueye as a potential replacement for the departing Morgan Schneiderlin, had been a previous favourite for the 25-year-old's signature but Villa's director of recruitment Paddy Reilly is looking to force through a deal with Lille, and are set to win the race to land Gueye.