Villa owner Lerner was given a list of transfer targets by McLeish as the former Birmingham chief finalised his contract last night.
A goalkeeper is top priority after out-of-contract Brad Friedel quit to join Tottenham on a free last month.
And Foster, 28, will be first choice after an excellent season under McLeish at St Andrew's.
Whether Birmingham would do business is another matter with the bad feeling following a crazy seven days of threats, accusations, statements and lawyer talk between the rival outfits.
But the St Andrew's club are desperate to recoup a £40m black hole in their finances after being relegated and may be reluctantly forced to talk.
One thing is for sure, Birmingham's acting chairman Peter Pannu will not budge on price.
McLeish will also launch his own battle to keep winger Stewart Downing.
Villa are resigned to Ashley Young joining Manchester United for £22m. But they remain upbeat about keeping Downing, 26, despite the winger going public on his desire to play Champions League football.
