PREMIER League side Aston Villa have emerged as the latest team to show an interest in Burnley striker Charlie Austin.

The Midlands club are reported to be weighing up an offer for the Clarets’ top scorer and player of the year ahead of the final year of his contract.

Villa manager Paul Lambert is understood to have watched the 23-year-old while he was in charge of Norwich City and believes an offer of £4million could be enough to tempt the Turf Moor board to sell.

But competition for Austin's signature appears to be hotting up in is early stage of the closed season with Celtic, Newcastle and newly promoted Hull City all weighing up bids for the former Swindon Town hotshot.

Sunderland have also expressed an interest in Austin, who ended the 2012/13 campaign with 28 goals.

However, Burnley have yet to receive an official approach for their star striker, who has just one year remaining on his contract.

Should Austin move on this summer, however, Burnley were monitoring Bradford's Nahki Wells as a possible replacement.

The Bermuda international is also wanted by Championship rivals Huddersfield Town.

But after firing the Bantams into League One via the play-offs it is possible that Wells could remain at Valley Parade.