Nantes are interested in wantaway Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Sanson, according to French outlet Foot Mercato (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown: Bit part

Villa shelled out £14.2million to sign Sanson from Ligue 1 side Marseille in the January 2021 window and agreed to pay him £48,000 per week as part of his four-and-a-half year contract.

But he's only made 19 appearances for the club since, including 11 this season. He's enjoyed more involvement under Steven Gerrard than he did under Dean Smith, but he's still largely on the periphery.

The Frenchman has only started two Premier League matches and has been an unused substitute for five of the last eight games in the competition.

The latest: Wants to leave

Just a few days after an update claiming Kalvin Phillips is a serious target, some sources have told the French publication (via SW) that Sanson 'wants to leave' Villa this summer.

Nantes are admirers and could well pursue a loan or indeed a permanent transfer when the window opens.

The report adds that Sanson may be rendered surplus to requirements if Villa are successful in their efforts to sign another midfielder.

The verdict: One in one out?

Villa do appear determined to bolster their midfield ranks this summer.

The Times reported just last weekend that they were willing to fork out a whopping £60million to sign Phillips, while The Sun have even claimed they will pursue Paul Pogba, who is likely to be a free agent.

Steven Gerrard certainly seems to be a fan of Phillips in particular, given he has been eyeing Leeds star since the January transfer window.

And you can see how that would push Sanson even further down the pecking order at Villa Park.

Sanson, dubbed a 'classy operator' by professional scout Andrew Ashburn, has shown flashes of promise. Ashley Preece applauded him for his substitute performance against Leeds United earlier this month, when he completed every pass and won six out of eight duels (Sofascore).

But for the most part, it's been a struggle, leading Preece to assign him a rating of just four out of 10 for his efforts this season.

In other news, this Villa talent has withdrawn from international duty.