Aston Villa 'on the brink' of completing £8.7m transfer for 23-goal attacker

Aston Villa have reportedly beaten Fiorentina to the signing of Hellas Verona forward Cyril Ngonge on a permanent transfer, with a deal said to be on the brink of completion.

The 23-year-old, who is a former Belgium U21 international, has been one of the most exciting young players in Serie A this season with five goals and two assists in 17 league appearances. Fiorentina have been trying to offer Ngonge a step up in Italy but Unai Emery's side look to have won the race.

Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb reports Villa's president of football operations, Monchi, was delighted to have his opening offer for Ngonge - in the region of £8.7 million - verbally accepted by Hellas Verona. All that awaits now, if the report is correct, is an agreement to be reached on personal terms, a medical, and the signing of paperwork.

Who is Aston Villa target Cyril Ngonge?

Ngonge is a versatile attacker who predominantly plays as a right winger but can also feature as a centre-forward, second striker, attacking midfielder or left winger. Ngonge has 31 Serie A appearances to his name, as well as eight goals and three assists. As a right winger, he has 23 goals and seven assists in 66 games.

Before signing for Hellas Verona in January 2023, Ngonge was a key man for FC Groningen, netting 11 goals and notching five assists in 57 matches. Ahead of that, Ngonge played for Club Brugge, PSV Eindhoven and RKC Waalwijk.