Neal Maupay is set to leave Brentford after the Championship club slashed their asking price for the striker.

Villa boss Dean Smith is a long-time admirer of Maupay having signed him for Brentford in 2017 and he has been heavily linked with a switch to Villa Park this summer.

The claret and blues have already bolstered their options in the final third by splashing out £22m on Wesley Moraes from Club Brugge but it is understood the club are mulling over further attacking recruits.

Brentford had been demanding £22m for Maupay after the Frenchman’s terrific form last season saw him bag 28 goals in all competitions.

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But they have reduced their valuation to just £15m after the 22-year-old expressed a desire to move to the Premier League, according to the Sun.

Sheffield United are leading the chase and are thought to be close to agreeing a deal which would see Maupay become the Blades’ record signing.

Bees boss Thomas Frank said at the weekend he would like to keep the player but could not guarantee his future at Griffin Park.

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"As a coach you want to keep your best players – always – so yes I want to keep him,” Frank said.

"Approaches? No. That’s the good thing about the structure of the club. I can leave that to (directors of football) Rasmus (Ankersen), Phil (Giles) and (club owner) Matthew (Benham). I can have my wishes."

Chris Wilder wants to add a new striker ahead of the Premier League campaign – and it is also reported that Maupay is keen on the idea of a transfer to Bramall Lane.

Speaking earlier this year, Maupay admitted he’d be keen to work with Smith again.

"I have a really, really good relationship with Dean,” he said. “So obviously if one day he calls me and says ‘Neal, I need you in my team’ I would consider it.”

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