Premier League duo target big centre back.Aston Villa and Southampton are reportedly in a scramble to land giant Porto defender Abdoulaye Ba on loan for the remainder of the season, the Daily Mail reports.
The Portuguese giants are said to be looking for a fee in the region of £400,000 from the English sides if they hope to be able to take him off of their hands.
The 22-year-old has made just a handful of appearances for the side’s first team, having spent most of his time with the club’s B team and out on loan with the likes of Covilha and Academica.
However, that has been good enough for him to earn four caps with the Senegalese national side. Villa have shown interest in signing the 6’6 stopper the past, as have West Ham, but Porto may yet cancel a deal if Chelsea make a late bid for Eiaquim Managala.
Villa are looking for more defensive cover following early injuries to the likes of Nathan Baker, who injured his ankle in the opening day victory over Arsenal, and Cairan Clarke after he was forced off during the defeat to Chelsea with a head injury.
Paul Lambert has also allowed young full back Enda Stevens to join Notts County on loan and he made his debut in Tuesday’s Capital One Cup clash with Liverpool.