Pau Torres is expected to seal his £33million move to Aston Villa early next week after finalising his exit from Spanish club Villarreal.
The Spain international has agreed terms with Unai Emery’s side and the transfer is likely to be made official on Monday or Tuesday.
Torres will be Villa’s second major signing of the summer following the arrival of midfielder Youri Tielemans, who joined on a free transfer after running down his contract at Leicester.
In Torres, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Diego Carlos, Villa now have strong options at centre-back, though Konsa has also operated at right-back.