Player sorts out ‘dispute’ with current club – Aston Villa could present him Wednesday

On Saturday, FootMercato were the first to report Aston Villa had made an offer for Lyon’s Bertrand Traore and then, as always happens, others came in to take their slice of the cake.

Monday’s edition of L’Equipe claimed an agreement was actually reached in the middle of last week, which felt a little churlish given they didn’t report so at the time.

Now FootMercato come with what they say is the situation as it stands.

Aston Villa’s second offer, higher than the initial €17m and described as ‘just under’ €20m, was accepted by Lyon on Sunday.

Traore then had to solve a ‘dispute’ he had with the Ligue 1 club. The nature of that issue isn’t explained, but, as is often the case, it’s likely to be about money.

FootMercato say Traore can arrive in Birmingham in ‘the next few hours’, and settle the ‘formalities’ around obtaining a work permit. The player will then ‘engage’ with Aston Villa on Wednesday, and his presentation would be the next stage of the process.