Aston Villa are set to make an audacious bid for Barcelona youngster Adama Traore ahead of Premier League rivals Liverpool.

The 19-year-old forward has been linked with a loan move to Liverpool and Stoke City throughout the transfer window, having failed to hold down a position in the Barca starting lineup.

New reports attributed to the Daily Mail, however, are suggesting that Villa have bypassed both clubs and emerged as favourites for the Spanish international.

While a loan deal is most likely, it is believed that a fee of around £7million will be enough to secure the services of Traore permanently.

Villa may have stolen ahead using the agent of Jose Angel Crespo who they signed from Cordoba last week.