Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is targeting Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino for the January market.

Mundo Deportivo says Villa "like" the former Newcastle United man and would "love to take" him from Sociedad in January.

The 26-year-old Spanish international has three years left on his current deal with a release clause reportedly set at around €60 million (£51.6m). However, the report goes on to state that the move to Villa does not "attract" the player currently given the lack of European football at the club.

Sociedad are also reluctant to part ways with Merino and will prioritise the extension of his current deal at the Reale Arena in a bid to resist the "indisputable" financial power of Villa owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.