Aston Villa have allegedly upped their interest in signing Marseille midfielder Maxime Lopez.

Despite the West Midlands outfit currently fighting to retain their Premier League status, Dean Smith is already identifying potential targets ahead of the next transfer window.

Villa have recently been linked with an approach for Lopez, who has just over a year remaining on his contract at the Stade Velodrome.

According to AreaNapoli, this has led to the English side making a €10m (£8.8m) offer for the former France Under-21 international.

While Marseille may look for double that amount, Napoli, Sevilla and West Ham United are also said to be monitoring the situation.

Lopez has made 17 starts and 10 substitute outings in all competitions this season.