'Here we go' - Next Aston Villa transfer confirmed after £50m deal agreed and failed Man Utd hijack

Aston Villa have wasted little time in the transfer market this summer as they prepare to compete in the Champions League. The club’s first full season under Unai Emery was a huge success as Villa clinched fourth spot, finishing behind Liverpool, Arsenal and champions Manchester City.

Now with the demands of Champions League football to come alongside their Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup commitments, Emery has been working to build a strong and competitive squad for the campaign ahead.

Although they have lost midfielder Douglas Luiz to Serie A giants Juventus, Villa have already signed Ian Maatsen, Jaden Philogene, Samuel Iling-Junior, Lewis Dobbin, Enzo Barrenechea and Ross Barkley so far this window. Their next transfer deal is now just days away from completion, after transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported Everton midfielder Amadou Onana is set to undergo a medical with Villa on Sunday and sign for the club the following day.

Reports of Villa’s interest in the Belgian emerged last weekend and a deal is now on the cusp of completion, with the Birmingham outfit paying £50m to Everton to sign the defensive midfielder who is viewed as a replacement for the departed Luiz.

Villa will be keen to get the deal over the line as quickly as possible after claims from Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri that Premier League rivals Manchester United tried to hijack the deal. The Red Devils reportedly matched Villa’s bid but had offered the player ‘higher financial terms’. However, the midfielder signalled his intent to move to Villa Park after already agreeing a five-year deal. The Belgian international has been on holiday, or his medical likely would have been held sooner.

The 22-year-old, who turns 23 next month, joined Everton two years ago for around £33m from Ligue 1 club Lille. After an impressive first season at Goodison Park, he was linked with a departure including a surprise switch to Merseyside rivals Liverpool. However, he remained with the Toffees for another 12 months but has now been tempted away as Villa look to get the last details over the line ahead of the start of the Premier League season next month.