Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has reportedly identified Real Madrid defender Nacho as a potential January transfer target.
Ahead of the break for the World Cup, Emery marked his arrival in the West Midlands with successive Premier League victories over Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Although Villa still sit in close proximity to the relegation zone, they are also just four points adrift of sixth position ahead of the resumption in action.
All reports suggest that the club's owners are ready to back Emery in the transfer market in a bid to establish Villa as a top-10 club as soon as possible.
On Tuesday evening, it was claimed that Villa are attempting to negotiate a shock deal for Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix in a move which is said to be supported by super-agent Jorge Mendes.
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Nevertheless, it appears that Emery is looking at several areas of the pitch and is eyeing up another player who currently plies his trade in Spain's capital.
According to Fichajes, Villa are interested in securing the services of Nacho, who is now out of favour at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The long-serving defender has less than seven months remaining on his contract at Los Blancos and there are signs that he will soon move on to pastures new.
The report suggests that the Spain international is not enthusiastic about penning a renewal until he is able to determine whether he will receive more game time under Carlo Ancelotti.
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The 32-year-old has made a total of four starts and seven substitute outings in La Liga and the Champions League during 2022-23, but five of his last eight appearances have lasted seven minutes or less.
With Eder Militao, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger in front of him in the pecking order, there appears to be little prospect of Nacho ever becoming higher than fourth choice.
From Villa's perspective, Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings are established as the club's first-choice centre-backs, particularly with Diego Carlos still months away from returning from an Achilles injury.
Emery also has Calum Chambers and Jan Bednarek at his disposal, but those two players have accumulated just 188 minutes of Premier League football between them this campaign.
Wolves have also been linked with a move for Nacho, who has played under their new head coach Julen Lopetegui at Real and with Spain.
Darren Plant
