Aston Villa prepared to pay to get the right man in post

Villa are prepared to pay significant compensation to land their preferred managerial target as the search for Dean Smith’s successor intensifies.

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard and Belgium manager Roberto Martinez are both thought to be on a shortlist drawn up by chief executive Christian Purslow and sporting director Johan Lange.

Gerrard is known to Purslow from latter’s stint as Liverpool’s managing director and has enjoyed an impressive start to management at Ibrox.

The 41-year-old’s contract runs until 2024 and the Scottish champions would demand a hefty compensation figure should Villa pursue their interest.

Martinez is under contract with Belgium until after next year’s World Cup, while it would require a particularly high fee to prise Graham Potter from Brighton. The latter is particularly favoured by supporters but turned down interest from Tottenham last summer and is settled on the south coast.

Villa will not rush the process but are keen to make an appointment before they host Brighton in the Premier League a week on Saturday.

Smith, who yesterday released a statement expressing pride at his three-year reign as boss, has meanwhile emerged as a leading contender to become Norwich’s next manager. The Canaries have identified Smith and Frank Lampard as their top targets to replace Daniel Farke, who was sacked on Saturday.