Aston Villa want to sign West Ham United midfielder Frank Lampard. Villa's finance director Mark Ansell said: "There is on-going discussion regarding Frank. Our interest is known to West Ham."
The England international seems certain to leave Upton Park this summer after the departure from the club of his father Frank Lampard and manager Harry Redknapp.
But agreeing a fee for the 22-year-old is likely to prove a stumbling block. Villa have already had one bid of around £7.5 million sterling for Lampard rejected by their Premiership rivals. West Ham are understood to value Lampard at closer to £12 million.
The player's agent, Steve Kutner, said: "It is now up to West Ham. Frank is not in the right frame of my mind to begin the season at West Ham and that is good news for anyone who wants to buy him."
For his part, Aston Villa's transfer-listed defender Gareth Southgate has ruled out any quickfire move to Middlesbrough and accepts he will have to play a waiting game before knowing where he will be next season.
PA Sports