Aston Villa close in on £8million Anwar El Ghazi deal
Villa are closing in on the £8million capture of Wembley hero Anwar El Ghazi from Lille.
Reports in France claim the club have triggered their option to sign the Dutch winger on a permanent basis following his successful loan stint last season.
El Ghazi scored six goals for Villa, including the opener in the play-off final win over Derby which sealed their return to the Premier League.
Boss Dean Smith was impressed with the 24-year-old’s improvement over the course of the campaign and believes he is a player who could thrive in the top flight.
El Ghazi will follow fellow winger Jota and defender Kortney Hause through the door as Villa’s preparations for their Premier League return continue to ramp up.
Jota became the club’s first signing since promotion when he completed a switch across the Second City from rivals Blues on Wednesday.
Hause, meanwhile, will join imminently after Villa took up their option to sign him permanently from Wolves in a £3million deal.
The 23-year-old, like El Ghazi, enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Villa Park, having joined in January.
