Aston Villa in talks with Lyon's Moussa Dembele

Aston Villa have opened talks with Moussa Dembele’s representatives ahead of a potential January move, 90min understands.

The Villans are keen to sign a new striker after West Ham United agreed terms to sign Danny Ings for a reported £15m, with the Hammers keen to complete the deal before this weekend’s relegation six-pointer against Everton.

Ings’ departure has led to interest from Aston Villa in striker Dembele – a player whose current contract at Olympique Lyonnais is due to expire during the summer.

While a deal could be done to sign the player on a pre-contract ahead of his free agency, 90min understands that Aston Villa are assessing the possibility of signing Dembele this January.

The French forward has endured a difficult season at Lyon in 2022/23, making just six Ligue 1 starts for the club and scoring a measly two goals. Prior to that, however, Dembele hit the back of the net with regularity – particularly during the 2021/22 season in which he bagged 21 goals in 30 league appearances.