Sources: Aston Villa set sights on signing defender from rivals to replace Engels
Aston Villa will sign a new senior centre-back this summer as part of a defensive makeover, Football Insider has learned.
This site revealed on Thursday (29th April) that Villa are planning to sell Bjorn Engels in the upcoming window after his drop down the pecking order this season.
A Villa source has told Football Insider the club are planning to recruit a new centre-back capable of providing cover and competition for Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konza and Kourtney Hause.
The profile the club are seeking is a defender with Premier League experience who has the potential to slot straight into their first team.
This demonstrates the ambition of Villa, who are preparing for another summer of big spending.
As part of the overhaul, the Midlands giants will look to cash in on Engels.
He has not had a single minute of senior action this season despite being a regular member of the matchday squad.
Mings and Knoza are firmly established as the first choice centre-back pairing with Hause, who can also play at full-back, as back-up.
Mings has started 31 of Villa's 32 Premier League matches this season, while Konsa has also started 29.
Villa have conceded just 37 goals from their league matches, although the arrival of Emiliano Martinez last summer has been a huge factor.
The goalkeeper has been arguably the team's player of the season with a series of outstanding displays that have caught the eye of Man United.