Aston Villa could capitalise on VfB Stuttgart's need for funds in their pursuit of left-back Borna Sosa, according to German outlet Bild. 

The lowdown

The report cites 'English transfer experts' who claim that Steven Gerrard wants to sign Sosa in January.

Sosa has played 1,060 out of a possible 1,080 minutes in the Bundesliga so far this season.

He's averaged 1.9 key passes, 1.4 clearances and 1.1 dribbles per game (via WhoScored).

For context, no Villa player is creating more than 1.6 chances per 90 this term.

The Croatian set-piece specialist has operated as a defensive midfielder or a left winger on 10 occasions in 2021/22, highlighting his versatility.

The latest

Journalist Ursula Vielberg writes that Stuttgart will be forced to sell players 'in the future' to address the effects of the pandemic.

Since it began, they're said to have lost as much as €80million (about £67.1million).

That's not to say Sosa will be sold for far less than he's worth, though. He still has four years left on his deal.

The report adds that Stuttgart have yet to receive a formal approach from Villa. At this stage, it just looks to be interest.

The verdict

Sosa actually gave some insight into his own strengths and weaknesses in an interview with the official Bundesliga website.

He picked out his shooting, passing, set pieces and pace - he claimed he's been the fastest player at all of his clubs - as his headline attributes.

But he also confessed that he could improve defensively, having focused on his attacking output as he came through the ranks.

His tally of 14 assists in 50 Bundesliga matches immediately catches the eye, but that possible weakness if something for Villa to consider before they greenlight a move.

In other news, Steven Gerrard has set his sights on this Champions League star.