'Medical booked' - Aston Villa and Everton make progress as Leeds United deal nears

Villa midfielder Tim Iroegbunam is reportedly closing in on a £10 million move to Goodison Park after an agreement was reached on personal terms, but that’s not all as another deal is in the works.

Unai Emery promised to get the best out of Iroegbunam but the 20-year-old never quite impressed enough during cameos to gain regular starts. Appearances against Ajax were highlights but Iroegbunam’s game time was inconsistent and he was always bound to be dispensable this summer.

With Villa in need of making sales to conform with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations, Iroegbunam was a clear sacrifice when Everton came knocking. The fee was agreed a few days ago and the player is now very near to completing his move.

Football Insider reports a medical has been booked in at Finch Farm - Everton’s training ground - for Iroegbunam to finalise the transfer. If all goes to plan, the former England Under-20 international is expected to sign his contract during the same visit.

Villa, utilising the funds gained, are now in discussions to bring a player in the other direction. The Athletic reports positive talks have been held over Toffees winger Lewis Dobbin. It’s been made crystal clear that any business would be a separate transaction, so Villa’s next steps won’t have any impact on the Iroegbunam deal.

Dobbin made 15 first-team appearances for Sean Dyche’s side last campaign but merely one of those was a Premier League start. The versatile attacker, who has pace and directness in abundance, won’t be a Villa regular immediately but it’s hoped his potential can be unlocked by Emery.

Meanwhile, Everton close in on Leeds ace

In other Premier League transfer news, the Toffees are nearing an agreement with Leeds United over the loan re-signing of Jack Harrison. The winger’s return to Goodison is described by Fabrizio Romano as a “concrete possibility”, while The Athletic reports Everton won’t pay a fee but merely cover the player’s wages for another season-long move.

Harrison, who turns 28 in November, scored three goals and made three assists in 29 Premier League appearances for the Toffees last term. Leeds’ failure to be promoted back to the English top tier has allowed the winger to make another temporary switch to Everton.