Gareth Barry feels Craig Bellamy would take Aston Villa onto a new level, should the Midlands club push through a deal for the Liverpool striker.
Villa chief Martin O'Neill is a confirmed admirer of the Wales international and is reported to be watching events at Anfield with interest.
Liverpool chief Rafa Benitez has confirmed there will be major changes at Anfield this summer and Bellamy has been strongly linked with a move away from Merseyside.
The forward has remained tight-lipped on his future, but Barry has added fuel to the fire by stating the former Newcastle man would be a great recruit for Villa.
"I'd definitely welcome Craig Bellamy," said Barry. "He has proved himself in the Premier League - and across Europe as well.
"People like Craig Bellamy are the kind of quality players we want to be linked with and, if we sign them, it's even better.
"We're now being linked with all the top players and hopefully this summer we can sign a couple.
"The next step for the club is to move on to the next level, which is European football, and Craig Bellamy can help us do that if he comes or if players of that quality come as well.
"He's feisty but maybe that's something the club needs. You need winners in your team and he is definitely one of those."