By Wayne Veysey

21st Jul, 2021 | 2:04pm

Sources: Aston Villa in advanced talks to sign Cantwell

Aston Villa are in advanced talks to sign Norwich City attacker Todd Cantwell, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.

The Midlands giants are closing in on their second big-money capture from Carrow Road this summer after the early-window Emiliano Buendia deal.

A Villa source has told Football Insider that negotiations with Norwich over the transfer of Cantwell are progressing well and there is growing confidence a deal can be done.

It comes as Dean Smith’s side simultaneously work on signing another winger Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen.

Like Bailey, Cantwell, who predominantly plays on the left flank but can operate in multiple roles, will also cost a significant fee.

Norwich are not well placed to keep their academy product as he has entered the final year of his contract and has rebuffed attempts to extend it.

Villa want A-list attacking reinforcements despite already completing the club-record signing of Buendia for £33m rising to a potential £38m.

Cantwell came close to joining Leeds United last year.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side submitted a £15million bid for the attacking midfielder last September but Norwich wanted £20m for him and refused to budge.

Cantwell was axed by Daniel Farke from the City squad for two league matches before the October 2020 international break before he was eventually welcomed back into the fold.

The former England Under-21 international played a starring role as Norwich cantered to Championship promotion and won the division title.

He made 30 league starts among 33 appearances in the competition, scoring six goals and providing seven assists.

In other news, Aston Villa in pole position to beat Arsenal to big-money signing after talks held.