Fabrizio Romano drops Moussa Dembele update after Aston Villa transfer talks, BBC pundit backs deal

We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…

Alan Hutton expects Aston Villa to look into a deal to sign striker Moussa Dembele in the summer when his contract at Lyon expires.

Dembele, 26, has struggled in Ligue 1 this season, scoring just three goals in 22 appearances for L'OL.

The former Celtic forward is now expected to become a free agent at the end of the season, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that he "will leave" Lyon.

It is understood that there are "no doubts" about the situation and Dembele is now wanted by a number of clubs in the Premier League and in Serie A.

Villa have already been linked with the former France Under-21 international with Football Insider reporting on 23 February that the Villans are in the race to sign him.

On 19 January, 90min reported that Villa had even been in talks with the centre-forward's agents.

Hutton believes Dembele has struggled at Lyon but he had backed the ex-Celtic striker to show the form he showed in Scotland if Villa can sign him and get him firing again.

"I don't see why you wouldn't look into it," Hutton told Villa News.

"I don't know the ins and outs of Dembele or what his stats are for this year. I know he's not hit the heights that have been expected of him.

"But the Premier League is obviously a tough league and I'm sure there'll be a number of teams watching him.

"If Villa can get Dembele back to his best then of course, I think he's more than capable of doing the job."

In other Aston Villa news, concerns about Ollie Watkins have been examined by a BBC Sport pundit.