Aston Villa are closing on a club record £40million deal for Norwich City midfielder Emi Buendia.
The Villa Park side moved on Friday to head off competition from Arsenal by agreeing a deal for Argentine Buendia, the Championship player of the year, which could rise to £40m with add on bonuses as welll as a sell on percentage.
Arsenal were keen but talks are advancing with Villa and Buendia underwent a medical in Argentina on Saturday after agreeing personal terms.
Villa, who are increasingly hopeful of completing the signing this week, are braced for a bid from Manchester City for £100m rated Jack Grealish and are determined to build a squad that can still compete in the Premier League should their talismanic captain leave.