Aston Villa are preparing an offer for Gianmarco Ferrari.

Aston Villa are preparing an offer for Gianmarco Ferrari, TMW reports.

The FC Crotone central defender, 23, is wanted by Villa, as well as Palermo and Genoa of Italy.

Crotone are not keen on selling their defender, who has played 24 games in all competitions this season, whilst they are fighting for promotion to Serie A.

The club have conceded just 16 goals in their 21 league games, losing only two fixtures with Ferrari marshalling the defence extremely well.

He has come in for high praise for his performances, and Villa are keen to bring him to the Premier League this month to aid their fight for top flight survival.

Crouton are unwilling to sanction his departure, but Villa are ready to offer roughly £2.3 million (€3 million) for his services, and a bid of that size could be enough to tempt Crotone into selling the former Parma player.

There are no indications as to whether Ferrari wants to leave Crotone this month, should a formal approach from Villa be made.

In other news, Report: £2m Wenger signing has snubbed chance to leave Arsenal