By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

23rd Feb, 2023 | 1:53pm

Sources: Aston Villa race Leeds to sign Moussa Dembele

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is a “big fan” of Moussa Dembele as they eye up a summer move, sources have told Football Insider.

Dembele is believed to be preparing for a move to the Premier League in the summer and is on the radar of several clubs including relegation fighting Southampton, Bournemouth, Leeds United and Villa.

Football Insider has been told that a move to bottom of the table Southampton is off the cards and any move to his other suitors Bournemouth and Leeds is contingent on them avoiding relegation.

Villa are keeping a close eye on the 26-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer.

Emery is said to be an admirer of the French forward and had an interest in him in January, when the player was not looking for a move.

Dembele joined Lyon from Celtic back in 2018 and has made 164 appearances for the Ligue 1 side since his arrival.

The striker has scored 70 goals and provided 19 assists in those outings.

This season he has netted just three goals in 17 league appearances.

Villa are currently 11th in the English top flight and are eight points above the relegation zone but have won just two of their last five games.

The Villans added 19-year-old Jhon Duran to their firepower up front in January and he has made three appearances for Emery’s side since his arrival.

First choice striker Ollie Watkins has managed to find form in recent weeks having scored seven goals in 22 league appearances, four of which have come in his last four outings.

In other news, Agbonlahor is ‘100%’ sure about career-ending Calum Chambers development after what he saw at Aston Villa.