Journalist Pete O’Rourke thinks Aston Villa could reignite their reported interest in Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele this summer.

The Lowdown: Villa enquiry?

Ndombele, described as 'underrated' by Martin Keown, left Spurs back in January to join Lyon on loan until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old made 15 appearances for his former side, however, things could have been different in the New Year, with reports emerging recently suggesting that Villa made an enquiry for his services in January.

The central midfielder is now back in north London, and Tottenham are thought to be offering him around looking for a summer exit. O’Rourke thinks that a move to Villa Park could still be a ‘real possibility’.

The Latest: O’Rourke’s comments

Asked by The Transfer Tavern if Villa could look to go back in for Ndombele following the news of Carney Chukwuemeka’s move to Chelsea, O’Rourke said:

“Yeah, he's obviously on the list of Villa if they did enquire about him in January. He’s obviously a player that they think could come in and do a job for Aston Villa. We all know he doesn't figure in Tottenham plans going forward. He's one of the players on the fringes that Antonio Conte is willing to move on. So, if there's a deal to be done there that would suit Aston Villa and Tottenham, there's a real possibility that Ndombele could end up there.”

The Verdict: One to watch?

Transfer insider Dean Jones stated last month that Villa were looking for a ‘big addition’ in midfield, and Ndombele could well be that man.

A transfer could be a risk, though, given he is on £200,000-a-week - more than any Villa player - and is deemed surplus to requirements under Antonio Conte.

Should he join, Ndombele would provide Steven Gerrard with a versatile option as a holding, central or attacking midfielder, and if he can get back to the form that earned him a £54m move to the Premier League back in 2019, it may well be a shrewd transfer.