Aston Villa have made a first cash offer for Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur.

Sky Italia says Steven Gerrard's side have had a £20m bid rejected for Bentancur.

The 24-year-old Uruguayan has been linked with Villa in recent days, with an official bid now launched.

Villa have already splashed £25m on Lucas Digne this month, as well as signing Philippe Coutinho, Calum Chambers and Robin Olsen.

Gerrard clearly has big plans, and is being backed financially by chiefs at the club too.