Aston Villa are set to join West Ham in their chase for Lille’s young defender Benjamin Pavard in January.
Goal.com are reporting that Villa have opened talks with Lille over a potential deal for the defender in January.
Pavard, who has been capped by the French under-21 national side, broke into the first team at Lille last season but has seen limited first-team action so far this term. Pavard is a tall defender who is very versatile, being able to play at almost any position in the back four.
Villa will join West Ham in the battle for the striker, with the Hammers reportedly interested in a move for him last month.
Risky Business
Garde signing an unproven under-21 player could be seen as a risk, and he would add to the ever-growing French contingent at Villa Park, joining the likes of Jordan Ayew, Jordan Veretout, Jordan Amavi and Idrissa Gueye, who were all recruited from the French Ligue 1.
