Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham are also reported to be interested and the press have suggested Villa had a ?4m offer rejected in the summer transfer window.

Gabi would be a welcome addition to the Villa Park playing staff, as a creative midfielder is needed to partner Steven Davis in the middle of the park.

The 22-year-old currently has a ?6m buy-out clause, but are expecting to tie the Spaniard down to a new contract with a higher release clause, believed to be around ?16m.