Villa are keeping watch on in-form Albion defender Gabriel Tamas – according to his agent in Romania.

The Baggies’ Premier League neighbours are reportedly eyeing the 26-year-old as they weigh up their summer transfer options.

Tamas has recovered from his shaky Albion debut in the home defeat to Nottingham Forest to produce a string of solid performances.

Now agent Florin Manea has claimed the Romanian international’s displays have attracted attention from several Premier League clubs, including Villa.

Albion cannot be beaten to his signature, as they have secured an option to make his loan from Auxerre into a permanent deal for £800,000.

And Manea claims his client has agreed in principle to a three-year contract at the Hawthorns worth up to £1million per season in the Premier League and £500,000 per season in the Championship.

But, should boss Roberto Di Matteo choose to take up the option, other clubs would then be free to make offers to Albion for the player.

Tamas has spoken of his desire to stay in England having settled well with the Baggies and the head coach appears likely to exercise the option in the deal, which is currently a season-long loan from French club Auxerre.

The centre-half has made 13 appearances for the club since arriving at the start of January and impressed again against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday, as the Baggies won 1-0 to return to the Championship’s top two.

Villa’s squad is currently well-stocked at centre-back, with Richard Dunne and James Collins established as manager Martin O’Neill’s first-choice pairing.

Carlos Cuellar is also an option, although more often deployed at right-back, while former Hawthorns captain Curtis Davies is also waiting in the wings.

But question marks hang over Davies’ long-term future at Villa Park, with the 25-year-old struggling to force his way back into the team after a shoulder injury.

Having not figured in a Premier League game since surgery before Christmas, any summer exit for the ex-Luton man could lead to O’Neill delving into the transfer market for reinforcements.