Report: Bjorn Engels is already training with Aston Villa

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Aston Villa look to be on the verge of announcing their eighth signing of the summer transfer window.

As reported by the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa are close to announcing defender Bjorn Engels as their latest summer signing after the player was spotted taking part in pre-season training on their tour of the USA.

Having already made permanent moves for Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause, as well as adding Ezri Konsa to his squad, Smith is looking to strengthen his defence even further with the addition of the Reims centre-back.

The outlet report that he will be making the switch for a fee of around £8million.

Villa supporters had been invited to watch the squad train in Minnesota as they prepare for a return to the Premier League, with Engels spotted training on his own away from his potential new teammates, ahead of confirmation of his arrival.

The 6ft 4in defender helped Reims to an eighth-place finish in Ligue 1 last term, making 35 appearances for the club.

He had previously tasted domestic success with Club Brugge, as well as played for a brief spell in the Greek Super League with Olympiacos, where he also featured in the Champions League.

While that is no guarantee of a successful transition to the English top flight, he is a player who can add physicality to the Villa defensive line, as well as potentially improve further given he is just 24.

The Villans are not messing about this summer when it comes to recruitment, with Engels potentially their eighth capture, but Smith has admitted “there’s more to be done”, so it doesn’t appear they’ll be slowing down any time soon.