Villa and Leicester join Tottenham and Newcastle in contention for Fofana

But! claim of the football club Aston Villa and Leicester have joined Tottenham and Newcastle in the race to sign Lens midfielder Seko Fofana. The Ligue 1 star has shone in French football, scoring nine goals in 36 games this season.

Fofana, 26, was a driving force behind a stunning boost for European football – in a side that would have been happy to avoid relegation earlier in the season. He captained Lens in 27 of his 33 league games.

He started every Lens league game and made his way into the Ivory Coast line-up, scoring once in four internationals. So it’s no surprise that the former Manchester City midfielder is attracting interest from English sides.

Worth £14 million (post Office), the midfielder is a potential bargain. Gates from the deep are a valuable commodity these days, and BUT! The Football Club claim Villa and Leicester have joined Newcastle and Spurs in the race for him.

Tottenham, Leicester, Newcastle or Villa – what goes best with Fofana?

The Manchester Evening News compared him to Patrick Vieira during his time at Manchester City. So what club needs a midfielder like Vieira who can score goals? Villa are desperate for a central midfielder.

Douglas Luiz could leave, Marvelous Nakamba has been injured but is hardly the long-term answer. You need a better partner for John McGinn. Leicester may need to replace Youri Tielemans. Newcastle has cash.

The Toon could use another body in midfield – although he may struggle to get there against Joe Willock and Bruno Guimaraes. He would also fight at Spurs. Villa is his best bet, and then Leicester if Tielemans leaves.

In other news, Report: 22-year-old interested in Arsenal move could sign for £3m