Aston Villa eyeing Serie A ace along with Manchester United

Aston Villa are being linked with a summer swoop for Torino right-back Raoul Bellanova, according to a report by Italian news outlet Tuttomercato.

Unai Emery could see the 23-year-old as decent long-term competition for Matty Cash. The former Arsenal boss has the chance to bring in more players this summer when the next transfer window opens in preparation for next season.

Bellanova, who is a former Italy youth international, only joined Torino last summer but they could face a battle to keep hold of him already amid interest from England. He has become one of their most prized assets this term.

He rose up through the academy ranks at AC Milan but didn't make a first-team appearance during his time at the San Siro. Instead, he left for France as a youngster and was snapped up by Bordeaux.

The full-back then played once for the French outfit and had loan spells away at Atalanta, Pescara and Cagliari before joining the latter permanently.

Bellanova then had a surprise loan stint at Inter Milan in the last campaign, despite his AC connections from when he was a youngster, before he linked up with his current club.

Aston Villa would need to bat away competition from Manchester United if they were to lure him over to Villa Park at the end of this season. It is expected that many rumours will arise over the course of the next few months as Emery looks to guide the Midlands outfit into the Champions League.