Ligue 1 club OGC Nice are in advanced talks with Aston Villa as they pursue a move for French defender Lucas Digne.
Nice Matin reports that Nice are on the verge of reaching an agreement with their Premier League counterparts over a season-long loan, which also features a purchase option.
The French newspaper claims the transfer could be arranged this week, with Digne expected to be a Nice player in time for their home clash against Olympique Lyon.
Digne cost Villa around £25 million when he joined from Everton at the start of last year but is set to leave the club before the transfer window closes in just over a week.
The 30-year-old has spent just 18 months at Villa Park, making 49 appearances for the Europa Conference League club across all competitions while contributing two goals and four assists.
He has also featured twice this season, including the resounding 4-0 victory over Everton at the weekend, but he could have played his final game in a Villa shirt.
Digne is also attracting substantial attention from Italian champions Napoli and clubs in Saudi Arabia, including Al-Hilal. But none of those clubs have formalised their interest in the French full-back.
Nice are looking to wrap up a deal quickly to avoid any hiccups, with talks over salary payment being finalised, and Digne could make his debut against Lyon next weekend.
Villa have identified Sevilla full-back Marcos Acuna as an ideal replacement and are pursuing a deal for the 31-year-old full-back.
The World Cup winner is one of several players that could leave Sevilla before the end of the month, with Los Nervionenses planning a major squad overhaul.
Villa are also keeping tabs on out-of-favour Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares and could move for the former Olympique Marseille loanee if a move for Acuna falls through.
