Aston Villa striker Darren Bent believes Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia would be a "fantastic" signing for the club.
Villa boss Alex McLeish is looking to bolster his squad after seeing Stewart Downing leave for Liverpool and Ashley Young for Manchester United.
Last week, Wigan turned down a £9 million bid from Villa for N'Zogbia, with Latics chairman Dave Whelan seeking £10 million for the Frenchman.
Bent accepts that the departures of Downing and Young will be felt, but is hopeful that Marc Albrighton, 21, can continue his development and that N'Zogbia can be brought in.
He told the Birmingham Mail: "They are going to be a big miss, you can't hide from that fact, but we have got good players.
"Marc Albrighton is coming through, had a tremendous season last season and is only going to improve. Any striker needs good service and Stewy and Ash give you probably the best in the division.
"But it's going to be a big season for Marc, who impressed me a lot when I came in. I'm sure he's going to grow and he might find himself on the verge of winning a full England cap.
"I'm sure the manager's got ideas up his sleeve on who he wants to bring in and I'm sure whoever he does bring in will help me score goals and Villa in games.
"N'Zogbia would be fantastic. He's a top quality player who is always getting linked to top clubs. If we can get him down here that will be tremendous for myself, being a striker and getting service and also for Aston Villa."
