Aston Villa hope that £15 million will be enough to sign Morgan Sanson from Marsille, with the Express and Star reporting that personal terms have been agreed.
Talk about an upgrade.
With all due respect to Conor Hourihane, who is on his way back to the Championship with Swansea City, Sanson represents a substantial elevation in quality in the centre of the park.
One of the most influential, industrious midfielders in the whole of French football, the John McGinn-esque 26-year-old has been highly regarded on both sides of the Channel for a number of years.
But, after being linked with what feels like every club in the Premier League at some point or another, multiple reports are suggesting that Sanson will finally be swapping Ligue 1 for England this month.
Aston Villa have agreed personal terms with the as-yet uncapped Frenchman, although the Midland giants are yet to decide on a fee with Marseille.
Villa hope that £15 million will be enough, yet the Sun believe Sanson is valued at closer to £25 million.
Then again, there may be plenty of wriggle room here.
Marseille coach Andre Villas-Boas confirmed today that the cash-strapped club have little choice but to listen to offers for their key players, due to crushing Financial Fair Play pressures (FootMarseille).
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