According to Sky Sports, Aston Villa have had a bid of around £9million accepted by French club Lille for midfielder Idrissa Gueye. The Senegal international now looks set for a medical later today in Birmingham.
Gueye has been with the Ligue One club for the past five years and made 135 appearances in the French top-flight, scoring five goals. The 25-year-old has also made 23 appearances for his national team.
The signing could be something of a coup for the Villans, as the likes of Southampton, West Ham and Crystal Palace were also believed to be monitoring the midfielder. French giants Marseille had also been mooted as a potential destination for Gueye this summer.
Gueye is maybe not a household name in England, but he may be familiar to Everton fans, as he featured twice against the Toffees in the Europa League last season.
Villa have been relatively quiet in the transfer market this summer so far with free agent Micah Richards their only signing so far.
The Villans do need to strengthen their midfield after England international midfielder Tom Cleverley decided to snub a permanent deal at Villa Park in favour of a move to Everton.
Tim Sherwood’s side are believed to be in the market for a new ‘keeper after first choice Brad Guzan was dropped towards the end of last season in favour of veteran Shay Given.
Villa were linked with a summer move for Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, but Premier League champions Chelsea have now emerged as the favourites to sign the giant Bosnian international.
Can Villa strengthen enough to avoid a relegation battle next season?
