Aston Villa have now submitted an enquiry over a deal to sign a "highly-talented" midfielder, according to reporter Mohamed Toubache-Ter on X.
Villa's summer transfer plans taking shape
Villa's summer transfer business could be significantly hampered by their failure to qualify for next season's Champions League, following Thomas Bramall's controversial decision to rule out Morgan Rogers' opening goal at Old Trafford last Sunday.
Missing out on the top five may also be a double whammy for Unai Emery, as the manager could now find it more difficult to hold on to some of his better players, with Emiliano Martinez looking like he could be heading for the exit door this summer.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery during a lap of honour Related
£25m Aston Villa target set to snub Barcelona to seal Premier League move
Unai Emery has been handed a boost in his pursuit of an "elite" summer transfer target.
As such, signing a new goalkeeper is on the agenda for the Villans in the upcoming window, while they are also clearly keen on bringing in a new central midfielder, having been linked with a range of different targets in both positions.
Fernandes and Gomes could be able to make an instant impact at Villa Park, given that the former has experience in the Premier League, while the Lille star's performances in Ligue 1 last season earned him a first England call-up from Lee Carsley.
However, there have also been reports that Aston Villa and NSWE could be willing to take a risk on more of an unknown quantity, with Toubache-Ter taking to X to reveal Emery's side have now made an enquiry about "highly talented" Lens midfielder Neil El Aynaoui.
A further report goes on to state that Italian giants Juventus have also expressed an interest in El Aynaoui, who is now looking likely to leave Lens this summer, having previously been close to joining AS Monaco before failing a medical.
El Aynaoui impressing in France
Gomes may be the more well-known Ligue 1 central midfielder, but the Lens star was arguably just as impressive last season, putting in some particularly solid performances in an attacking sense, having picked up eight goals and one assist in 24 games.
The Nancy-born midfielder routinely finds the back of the net for Lens, but he is also clearly a well-rounded central midfielder, considering he places in the 95th percentile for interceptions and blocks per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.
Olympique de Marseille's Quentin Merlin in action with RC Lens' Neil El Aynaoui
As such, while El Aynaoui, 23, wouldn't be the most high-profile of signings for Aston Villa, there are plenty of indications that he could be a shrewd acquisition this summer, and it is promising news that steps are being taken to assess a potential deal.