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Report: Aston Villa locked in tough negotiations with Cheick Doukoure

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Villa want to sign Doukoure on loan from Levante, according to reports.

Cheick Doukoure of Levante UD, Gareth Bale of Real Madrid, Raphael Varane of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander  match between Real Madrid v Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu on...

Spanish outlet Super Deporte claim Aston Villa’s sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch is locked in intense negotiations with Levante midfielder Cheick Doukoure, as the two parties look to thrash out a loan move to the Championship side.

The Sunday Mirror claimed in their paper edition on December 30 (Page 73) that Villa were close to signing the midfielder ahead of the January transfer window. The player’s agent was supposedly in Birmingham over the weekend.

The newest report claims Pitarch remains in talks with the entourage of Doukoure, 26, who has managed just five La Liga appearances for Levante this season.

However, a deal is yet to be concluded for the Ivory Coast international and Villa, and a move is now in danger of being hijacked by four foreign clubs. Indeed, Rayo Vallecano, AEK Athens, Getafe and Malaga are all interested.

Cheik Doukoure of Levante UD in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Albacete Balompie and Levante UD at Carlos Belmonte Stadium on August 8, 2018 in Albacete, Spain.

Villa have got to move quickly and have the confidence in that Doukoure wants to join Dean Smith’s side. But if they cannot agree a move, then they are in danger of losing out in the race to sign the Ivorian.

Pitarch remains in talks, as Villa look to add cover in the middle of the park with Glenn Whelan, Mile Jedinak, John McGinn, Conor Hourihane, Henri Lansbury and Birkir Bjarnason deemed not enough.

Cheik Doukoure (L) of Levante competes for the ball with Pablo Piatti of Espanyol during the La Liga match between Levante and Espanyol at Ciutat de Valencia Stadium on March 4, 2018 in...