Aston Villa are believed to have made a formal offer for Anderlecht youngster Dennis Praet, but face competition from Southampton, who could also hijack a move for Idrissa Gueye.
Gueye was in Birmingham for talks on Thursday after a fee had been agreed with Lille for the midfielder but both Marseille and Southampton are reported to have stepped up their interest too in a bid to prevent the Senegalese moving to Villa Park.
Villa are also thought to have lodged a bid in the region of £7m for 21-year old attacking midfielder Dennis Praet, who impressed in Anderlecht's Champions League campaign last season.
The young Belgian has already been capped by the senior international side and picked up a WhoScored rating of 7.47 over six Champions League appearances in 2014/15, scoring against Galatasaray as well as picking up one of two assists at home against Arsenal.
