A cluster of clubs, including the Premier League trio of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, have been linked with moves for the 31-year-old in recent weeks.

However, Victor Onate, Villa’s representative, has now sparked speculation of a possible switch to Serie A, although no talks between the two clubs have taken place.

Villa is currently away at the FIFA Confederations Cup with Spain and Onate told TuttoMercatoWeb: "I think it is excessive to say there is formal interest from Fiorentina, but we know the type of interesting project that Fiorentina have in mind.

"I worked with current Fiorentina technical director Eduardo Macia at Valencia.

"We are friends and in constant communication. Fiorentina had a good season and their intention is to grow even more.

"David is concentrated on the Confederations Cup.

"Leaving a club like Barcelona is not easy and it depends on many factors, including next year’s World Cup, as clearly he wants to approach it as a protagonist.

"If he does leave, we are looking for an important project that will allow him to play at a high level. England or Italy makes no difference, as long as the project is good."