Sources: Aston Villa set sights on Rangers star Filip Helander
Aston Villa are interested in signing Rangers star Filip Helander this summer, Football Insider understands.
This site revealed on Monday (18 April) that Villa are in the market for a left-sided centre-back going into the main window.
A Villa source has told Football Insider that Steven Gerrard is a big admirer of Helander, 28, and is closely monitoring his situation.
However, the former Ibrox manager is concerned about the Sweden international’s injury record and that could put him off sanctioning a deal.
Helander's contract in Glasgow is set to expire at the end of May 2023.
The centre-back has just been ruled out for the rest of the season with a foot injury after missing much of this campaign following knee surgery.
He has made only 11 appearances in total for Rangers this term.
Gerrard is well aware of the qualities Helander possesses though.
The centre-half played an integral role alongside Connor Goldson in Rangers' title-winning 2020-21 campaign.
The Gers went unbeaten in the league last season and conceded just 13 goals.
Villa are in the market for a centre-half with Gerrard planning a total overhaul of his squad this summer.
Gerrard is not convinced by club captain Tyrone Mings and wants to reshape his defence.
Mings has been almost ever-present since Gerrard's appointment.
This season he has contributed one goal and three assists in 29 Premier League appearances.
His contract at Villa Park runs until the summer of 2024.