Aston Villa on the verge of a double swoop for Nicolo Zaniolo and Marcos Acuna | OneFootball

Aston Villa are on the cusp of completing a double transfer swoop to sign Nicolo Zaniolo and Marcos Acuna, claims the Telegraph.

Zaniolo is expected to complete his switch from Galatasaray over the next 48 hours after Villa struck an initial loan deal with the Turkish giants on Monday.

The Italy international is expected in England this week to complete his medical examinations before signing on the dotted line.

His arrival comes on the back of a serious knee injury to Emiliano Buendia, who picked up the knock during a training session.

Villa will pay Galatasaray €4 million in loan fees while the deal also features a €20m buyout clause plus €7m in various add-ons.

A total package would be around €31m, which falls narrowly short of Zaniolo’s €35m release clause.

However, Gala will make a substantial profit from the sale, having paid just €15m to lure him away from AS Roma in February.

Villa are also closing in on a move for Sevilla full-back Acuna amid talks of an imminent departure for Lucas Digne.

The 30-year-old left-back is subject to interest from the Saudi Pro League, with Riyadh giants Al-Hilal believed to be one of several options.

Digne only joined Villa from Everton in January last year, setting the Birmingham club back around £25m.

He has made 48 appearances for the club, contributing two goals and for assists, but his time at Villa Park could end this summer.

Villa are exploring a deal to sign Acuna, who has spent the last three years at Sevilla after arriving from Sporting CP in 2020.

However, he could be sold, with the Europa League winners planning a squad overhaul this summer.

Villa manager Unai Emery wants to bolster his defensive options with a new full-back, especially with Alex Moreno not expected to return until later this month after surgery on a hamstring injury.