Aston Villa named favourites to sign £8.3 million Celtic target

Aston Villa are currently going through one of the best periods in the club's recent history. They are atop the Champions League table after the first three matchdays. They are also third in the Premier League, proving that last season was no fluke and they are the real deal. And now, it looks like Unai Emery's side have their eyes on a Celtic transfer target.

Celtic have mostly focused on signing highly-rated youngsters in recent years, with the aim of developing them into first-team stars at Parkhead. It has worked out in the case of some, like Matt O'Riley, but mostly not.

One of the most exciting players they have been linked with in recent times is Bazoumana Toure of Hammarby. But it looks like Aston Villa have taken a lead over everybody else in the race to sign the Ivory Coast international.

Hammarby are believed to be looking for a transfer fee in the region of £8.3 million for Toure. As reported by Fotboll Skanalen (via Daily Record), Aston Villa are the frontrunners for a deal.

Aston Villa named favourites to sign £8.3 million Celtic target

Toure currently plays for Hammarby. And he has been one of the standout players in Swedish football since arriving despite being just 18 years of age.

Of course, Celtic and Aston Villa are not the only two teams looking to sign Toure. Clubs like Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen are all believed to have scouted the 18-year-old talent in recent times.

Signing someone as talented as Toure would have to be considered as a major coup for Celtic. But considering the level of the clubs being linked with the youngster, it will be very difficult for the Hoops to convince him to move to Glasgow. Never say never in football though.