Aston Villa saw a £25million bid for Yves Bissouma rejected by Brighton and Hove Albion, according to The Telegraph's John Percy. 

The journalist tweeted that Villa are now prioritising a deal for Juventus' Rodrigo Bentancur after Brighton batted away their offer for the 25-year-old.

Steven Gerrard seems intent on signing another midfielder before the January transfer window closes in a week's time.

Villa bid was only half of Brighton's valuation

The Athletic's Brighton correspondent Andy Naylor wrote earlier in January that it would take a bid of £50m for the Seagulls to consider parting with Bissouma this month. They don't see any need to sell, even though the Mali international is into the final 18 months of his contract and has apparently given no indication that he will sign an extension at the Amex Stadium.

Bissouma has previously been 'linked' with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal, who all may now hope to beat Villa to his signature.

The Midlands outfit have spent £27m so far in Gerrard's first transfer window, signing Lucas Digne permanently from Everton and loaning in Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen.

Here's what Villa fans made of Percy's revelation about the rejected bid for Bissouma, with many believing that sporting director Johan Lange has foolishly low-balled on the midfielder's true value.

Villa supporters baffled by Bissouma bid

"25 mil? That's embarrassing"

Credit: @_ali_mans

"Villa’s ‘bids’ for JWP, Smith-Rowe and Bissouma have been laughable. Significantly undervalued talent with bids that were never in a million years going to be accepted"

Credit: @military_villan

"Bidding 25m for Bissouma was kind of wild tbh"

Credit: @obeball_

"Lange are you ok? 25m you know"

Credit: @WazeUTV

"£25m, they were never gonna accept that"

Credit: @DaleAC93

"£25m is embarrassing"

Credit: @villavisionben

In other news, another midfield target has emerged for Villa