Marseille willing to offer £8.5m for Aston Villa left back Jordan Amavi

Marseille have stepped up their interest in Aston Villa left back Jordan Amavi.

The French side are willing to offer £8.5million for the 22-year-old who cost Villa a similar amount when he joined from Nice in 2015.

Everton and Liverpool have also been credited with interest in the former France Under 21 international who told Sportsmail this week that he was intent on helping Villa get back into the Premier League. 

Aston Villa's Jordan Amavi goes forward with the ball against Burton Albion on Boxing Day

Ligue 1's Marseille have stepped up interest in Villa's 22-year-old French left back Amavi

Marseille sporting director Andoni Zubizarretta is in talks with the player's representatives though it is understood Amavi's preference would be to stay in England. 

Amavi's commitment to Villa's push for an instant Premier League comeback was clear when he spoke to Sportsmail: 'We don't have a choice, we have to get back to the Premier League. The top two automatic spots will be complicated but that's what we want to aim for. This year.'

As well as featuring in festive fixtures for the first time – 'Boxing Day is a really nice day to play, I will wear gloves, everything!' – Amavi is looking forward to a sustained assault on the promotion reckoning.

It would be some turnaround. Villa were 19th when Steve Bruce took charge, just two points above the relegation places and 10 behind the last play-off spot. But a positive impact by Bruce has seen that gap cut to six, despite a couple of recent stutters.  

Amavi's commitment to Villa's push for an instant Premier League comeback is clear