Saturday saw claims from France that Aston Villa had made a €17m offer for Bertrand Traore. This was knocked back by Lyon, with it being stated the Ligue 1 side were looking for a rather unreasonable €25m.
Then on Sunday, France Football put a Villa offer at €20.5m, and it was suggested this could be accepted.
All that would then be left is agreeing personal terms with Traore and managing the mechanics of a transfer.
Monday’s edition of L’Equipe echoes claims from Telefoot of an offer worth €18m being accepted by Lyon. The French newspaper go on to say Aston Villa had ‘in fact’ reached an agreement in principle with the club ‘in the middle of last week’.
Talks then ‘stumbled’ for a few days over salary and bonuses, with L’Equipe saying Aston Villa have ultimately agreed to pay far more than the €4.2m Traore was earning at Lyon.
The transfer is expected to be completed quickly, with the article saying it could even happen today.
Brighton & Hove Albion and Fulham are both credited with an interest, but it’s clear Aston Villa pushed their Premier League rivals to the side.
