Aston Villa have made an offer for Lyon striker Bertrand Traore.

The Daily Mail says Villa are in talks with Lyon over a £19million deal for Traore.

Villa, who have had an offer accepted for Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and remain in discussions with Werder Bremen for attacking midfielder Milot Rashica, had earlier been rebuffed in a £15.7m bid for Traore but have returned with an improved offer.

Fulham, Crystal Palace and Leicester also hold an interest in the former Chelsea flyer with Lyon ready to sell the 25-year-old.

Traore played 35 matches last season, mainly on the right wing, and scored four goals, adding five assists. He wants to leave though after finding himself frozen out of their Champions League finish last season and spending more time on the bench.

He is keen to join Villa and is excited by the prospect of a return to England.