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Aston Villa are still negotiating with Wolves over a deal to sign Kortney Hause - and face fresh competition from West Brom for his signature.

The 23-year-old centre-back is a target as Villa look to strengthen their backline this month.

But, according to reports, Wolves want more than the £2million Villa have offered and Albion are now entering the mix.

Suggestions are that Villa's negotiations have stalled.

Dean Smith desperately wants to bring in reinforcements after leaking more goals than any other team in the top half of the Championship this season.

And they like Hause because of his ability to play at left-back as well as centre-half, positions they are currently short of cover on.

But Albion are also looking at further defensive options after landing Mason Holgate on loan from Everton and are considering Hause this month.

For Villa, meanwhile, BirminghamLive understands that money is available, but sporting director Jesus Pitarch is looking for cut-price deals as Financial Fair Play restrictions still apply.

Villa were happy to pay just under £6million for Lovre Kalinic as they believe he represents excellent value for money and will only get better.

Pitarch continues to track other players on the continent, too.

However, earlier this week we were told that Nemanja Radoja, the Celta Vigo midfielder, was not close to signing despite reports suggesting otherwise in Spain.

The Serbian has now been linked with a move to Fiorentina after work permit issues in England stalled any potential move.

First interview

Lovre Kalinic has revealed the Aston Villa “project” that ensured he didn’t have to think twice about choosing to join the club.

Kalinic, the Croatia goalkeeper, linked up with his new teammates this week after signing for Villa from Belgian side Gent.

Dean Smith swooped for the 28-year-old to challenge Orjan Nyland for a spot in the side with the Norwegian international having failed to covnice since arriving in the summer.

Kalinic had also been linked with Premier League clubs prior to the move but said he had no hesitation about heading to the Midlands.

“They showed me the project for what they want in the future,” he told Villa’s YouTube channel. “I was so excited to take the chance to play for Aston Villa.

“Three years ago some things happened and I couldn’t sign but now, finally it’s happened.

“Because of everything they showed me, I chose Aston Villa.”

Villa made a move to sign Kalinic three years ago but he was denied a work permit and the deal collapsed.

“I think (I’m better now) because of playing in the World Cup for Croatia and I’m three years older,” he said.

“I have more experience in that period and I will try to show what I have on the pitch.”

What are the stopper's biggest strengths, in his own words?

“The crosses and the high balls,” he said.

“But you cannot say the really good things you always have because in a game there are different kinds of situations.

“I want to give my best and prove to the board and the fans they were right to buy me and I will try to do that.”