Aston Villa are stepping up their pursuit of Werder Bremen striker Milot Rashica.

BILD says Villa are set to make an opening €18m offer for the young attacker. Werder are rating Rashica in the €20m class.

Werder chief Frank Baumann declared yesterday: “There is a little movement when it comes to Rashica, there are interested parties and inquiries.

"Either we get a good transfer sum or we will continue to have a good player in our ranks next year."

Villa are in the market for a new striker signing, despite landing Brentford ace Ollie Watkins this week.