Aston Villa target Said Benrahma keen on Premier League switch

The 23-year-old was among boss Dean Smith’s top targets at the start of the summer but Villa’s opening bid fell some way short of the London club’s £20million valuation.

Reports in France now claim Benrahma, who missed this summer’s Africa Cup of Nations with an ankle injury, is eager to make the switch.

Villa have already added in wide areas since winning promotion after securing a permanent deal for play-off final hero Anwar El Ghazi, while Jota has joined from Blues.

Egyptian international Trezeguet is also finalising a move from Turkish club Kasimpasa.

But a move for Benrahma remains tempting, after the Algerian international scored 10 goals and set up a further 15 in the Championship last term, though Brentford are unlikely to budge too much on the price.

Villa executive chairman and co-owner Nassef Sawiris, meanwhile, has seen his personal fortune increase by £1.5billion in the space of just four months. Forbes have updated Sawiris’ net worth to £7.9bn, up from £6.4bn back in March, with Villa’s promotion back to the Premier League a factor in the rise, together with other business deals.

Last weekend marked the one-year anniversary since Sawiris and co-owner Wes Edens took charge at Villa Park.