‘Deal on’ - Aston Villa now working hard to sign £26m Newcastle United and Tottenham target

Aston Villa are making progress with an attempt to sign Galatasaray midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, according to a reputable report.

The Italian, who was signed by Monchi at AS Roma from Inter Milan in 2018, is also the subject of concrete interest from Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Zaniolo only moved from Roma to the Turkish Süper Lig back in February but is already looking likely to move away, with Juventus another club touted.

Transfer news journalist Fabrizio Romano reports Villa have commenced work on signing the 23-year-old as he’s said to be one of the top names on their shortlist.

Newcastle and Spurs aren’t mentioned but it has been widely reported elsewhere that both hold an interest. The Magpies, it appears, are more in for Zaniolo than Tottenham.

Turkish outlet Milliyet claims there’s a £30.1 million release clause for the attacking midfielder but an offer of £26 million might be enough to convince Galatasaray.

Zaniolo, who has 13 senior Italy caps to his name, scored five goals in just 10 Turkish Süper Lig appearances last campaign. He averaged a goal involvement every 59 minutes.