According to Sky Sports News, Aston Villa have made a surprising late bid for Real Sociedad playmaker Sergio Canales. The Spanish under-21 international and former Real Madrid prodigy has been held back by injury issues throughout his career, and for that reason, might come at a seriously discounted price for Villa.

The Villains have been chasing a playmaking midfielder for the last few days, and might be looking at Canales as an alternative to other previously linked targets. They were rumored to be close to making an £8m move for Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley, but that has yet to come to fruition. Cleverley is reportedly debating running out his contract in an attempt to get a bigger payday next summer.

Canales isn't exactly like Cleverley, but might serve the same function for Villa. He usually plays higher up the pitch and is a bit more creative than the United man, but obviously has an inferior fitness record and might not be quite as good at simply keeping possession.