Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of Jordan Ayew from the French side Lorient as Tim Sherwood attempts to rebuild his squad following the sale of Christian Benteke to Liverpool.
The Ghana striker, 23, flew into the UK on Friday to discuss personal terms after Villa submitted a bid of around £9m for a player who scored 12 goals in Ligue 1 last season.
Swansea, whom Ayew’s brother Andre joined earlier in the summer from Marseille, are also understood to have shown an interest but the second oldest son of the Ghana legend Abedi Pele appears set on a move to the Midlands.
“I’m delighted to have arrived in the UK and to have the opportunity to join a club the size of Aston Villa,” Ayew told Sky Sports News. “I’m looking forward to meeting the manager and I am very excited about the prospect of playing in the best league in the world.
“I’m sure with the new players that Aston Villa are bringing in that we can all work together to make it a great season for a great football club.”
Ayew’s agent, Mark McKay, confirmed earlier that Villa had submitted a bid for Ayew. “Villa have made an offer for Jordan Ayew to Alex Hayes, the vice-president of Lorient,” he said. “We are hoping Jordan will be allowed to travel from Lorient to Birmingham tonight to discuss personal terms. Tim Sherwood is an admirer of Jordan and feels he could be a big success in the Premier League.”
Villa have already seen their club captain, Fabian Delph, join Manchester City this summer while the Holland defender Ron Vlaar declined the club’s offer of a new contract. Benteke’s departure means Gabby Agbonlahor, Libor Kozak and Callum Robinson are the only strikers at the club with first-team experience.
