Aston Villa have contacted Marseille over the availability of goalkeeper Steven Mandanda, according to French publication RMC Sport.

Villa are on the lookout to sign a new goalkeeper during the upcoming January transfer window and French gloveman Mandanda has been mentioned as a target for the Premier League strugglers.

As a further development to the story, it has now been claimed that Villa have already established contacts with Marseille over the availability of Mandanda and are hoping to lure the French international to Villa Park this winter.

Garde knows the 30-year-old well from his time as Lyon boss and is keen to make a move for the 21-time France international next month.