Aston Villa are in advanced talks with Dundee United over a deal to sign teenager Kerr Smith, according to The Scottish Daily Mail's Steven McGowan. 

The lowdown

Villa kicked off their January business last week by agreeing a loan deal for Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho, and their recruitment drive in Steven Gerrard's first transfer window at the club continues.

It emerged on Sunday evening that they were deep in discussions with Everton over a move for left-back Lucas Digne, and he might not be the only defender making the move to Villa Park this month.

Smith, a 17-year-old centre-back, is at a different stage of his career to the Frenchman and is only valued at £180,000 by Transfermarkt.

The latest

McGowan wrote in The Scottish Daily Mail that Villa are closing in on Smith and are prepared to 'dig deep' to sign him.

Gerrard believes the youngster can 'cut it at the very highest level' and the Midlands outfit have now moved ahead of his other 'big-name' English admirers.

Indeed, Villa have apparently been keeping their eye on 'young Scottish talent' following the success of John McGinn in the Midlands. A 'bumper swoop' for the former Hearts defender Aaron Hickey, who now plays for Bologna, is also said to be 'in progress'.

The verdict

Even though he only turned 17 last month, Smith has played a decent amount of first team football this season at Dundee United. His substitute outing against Rangers shortly before the winter break was his fifth appearance in the Scottish Premiership this term, and he also played twice in the League Cup.

Tangerines team-mate Mark Connolly has raved about the 'fantastic' defender, calling his performance levels 'incredible'.

Smith may not be ready for Premier League football right away, but this could be a fruitful long-term acquisition for Villa, where the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Carney Chukwuemeka have shown that there is a discernible pathway from the academy ranks into the first team.

In other news, Villa have had a Premier League approach for this player