Aston Villa remain hopeful of signing £16m-rated Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur before the transfer window closes - but Max Allegri is unwilling to let the Uruguayan leave unless he can secure a proven replacement

• Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is a top target for Aston Villa this month 
• But Max Allegri is unwilling to let him leave until they secure a proven midfielder
• Villa have approached the Serie A side for Bentancur, who is valued at £16m 
• The club want a holding midfielder after Marvelous Nakamba's knee injury

Aston Villa remain hopeful of signing Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus once the Serie A club have secured a replacement.

The Uruguay international is a top target for Villa but Juve boss Max Allegri is unwilling to let him leave until the club have agreed a deal for a proven midfielder this month.

MailOnline first revealed last Saturday that Villa had made an approach for Bentancur, who is valued at about £16million.

His former club Boca Juniors insisted on a substantial proportion of any future transfer fee when he moved to Italy in 2017, though this is not thought to be an obstacle to a potential deal with Villa.

Juventus had identified Bruno Guimaraes, of Lyon, and Borussia Monchengladbach star Denis Zakaria as potential signings this month and were also considering a late move for Cagliari’s Nahitan Nandez.

Bentancur was high on Villa’s list as soon as boss Steven Gerrard identified the need for a holding midfielder, after Marvelous Nakamba suffered a knee injury in December. 

Bentancur also received a positive reference from Gerrard’s former Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez, his international team-mate.

Villa had also shown interest in Yves Bissouma, who Brighton value above £40million, and will also seek to sign a centre-back before the window closes.

After Axel Tuanzebe cancelled his loan in order to join Napoli from Manchester United on another temporary switch, Villa’s only senior centre-backs are Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause. 

They have already signed Lucas Digne from Everton for £25m this month, as well as Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen on loan.