Aston Villa will reportedly need to pay Rangers at least £2million if they are to poach manager Steven Gerrard. The former Liverpool midfielder has been pinpointed as Villa’s first-choice option to take over from Dean Smith, who was sacked at the weekend.
The Claret and Blue dismissed Smith on Sunday after the team suffered their fifth consecutive defeat on Friday night.
Villa went down 1-0 to Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium to drop to 16th in the Premier League table.
That result came after losses against Tottenham, Wolves, Arsenal and West Ham. And Villa are now just two points above the drop zone.
According to The Telegraph, Gerrard is interested in taking the top job at Villa Park and the west Midlands clubs are now set to make an official approach to Rangers.
The former England international is currently tied down to the Scottish club until 2024, but Villa are willing to shell out at least a couple of million to activate his release clause.
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That was Gerrard’s first trophy with Rangers and he was also able to lead his side to the last 16 of the Europa League for the second consecutive season.
Rangers have won nine of their opening 13 league games this time out and are in pole position to land the Scottish title for the second campaign in a row.
Villa have been on the lookout for a big name to take the club forward, with Gerrard being preferred to Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl for the role.
Frank Lampard and John Terry have also been linked with the job since the weekend. Terry was Smith’s assistant before departing Villa Park ahead of the new season.
At the start of this week, the club’s chief executive Christian Purslow told Villa players who weren’t on international duty that a new boss would be appointed by next Monday.
Meanwhile, Gabby Agbonlahor has backed Gerrard to move to Villa Park.
“I feel the time is right now to come to Aston Villa,” the former Claret and Blues striker said.
“I feel the players will respect Steven Gerrard – one of the best Premier League players ever. I would be buzzing with that signing.
“Steven Gerrard has been named for most of the jobs going so he has to take one sooner or later.”
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