Aston Villa are one of a number of Premier League clubs watching Philippe Coutinho's situation as the Barcelona outcast seeks to leave the Nou Camp.
Barca are desperate to move the 29-year-old Brazil playmaker on after agreeing a deal to sign Ferran Torres from Manchester City for £55m.
Villa manager Steven Gerrard, who played with Coutinho at Liverpool, is a huge admirer of Coutinho.
He has also been linked with Arsenal, Everton, Newcastle United and Spurs.
Coutinho is also keen for a fresh start as he tries to revive a career that has stalled badly since his £142m move from Liverpool in January 2018, although he did win the Champions League in 2020 while on loan at Bayern Munich from Barcelona.