Aston Villa to complete £15m transfer on Wednesday morning - Sky journalist

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Published on:

30 Aug 2016, 8:34 am

By Harry Sykes

Aston Villa are set to complete the £15million signing of striker Jonathan Kodjia from Bristol City on Wednesday morning, according to a reliable journalist.

Sky Sports News' chief reporter Kaveh Solkehol claimed on his personal Twitter account on Tuesday afternoon that the Kodjia deal is close to being formalised.

But it will not go be complete for another 24 hours because the Ivory Coast international is away on international duty.

Jonathan Kodjia £15m move from Bristol City to Aston Villa to be completed tomorrow morning because striker is away on international duty
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) August 30, 2016

BBC Sport's Midlands correspondent Pat Murphy claimed on his personal Twitter account earlier on Tuesday morning that Villa are in pole position to sign the in-demand forward.

This comes after the Telegraph reported that Premier League outfit Hull were set to make Kodjia, 26, their club record signing in a deal worth £14million.

Murphy reported there is strong interest from Hull, West Brom and Derby in Kodjia but Villa have jumped to the front of the queue and talks to land the player "are at an advanced stage".

Jonathan Kodjia close to signing for @AVFCOfficial in a £15m deal from @bcfctweets but Derby,WBA,Hull all in as well. But talks with 1/2
— Pat Murphy (@patmurphybbc) August 30, 2016

2/2 Villa at advanced stage. Also,move 4 Abel Hernandez fell thro' over personal terms after Hull finally agreed 2 negotiate.Told deal dead
— Pat Murphy (@patmurphybbc) August 30, 2016

Kodjia was left out of Bristol City's 3-1 win over Villa on Saturday and the club are prepared to lose him by Wednesday's transfer window cut-off.

Villa have already signed striker Ross McCormack for £12million from Fulham this summer but have made it clear they are still in the market for attacking reinforcements.

Ivory Coast international Kodjia has scored 19 goals in 52 matches in all competitions for City, including an impressive 18 league goals last season, and now looks primed to leave Ashton Gate after just one year in the south west following his move from Angers.

Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson said after Saturday's win over Villa: ‎"We have received multiple bids over the summer and it was totally my decision to leave him out.

"There has been a lot of speculation about Jonathan. I've been there before when bids have come in for players and it can be an emotional time.

"At this moment in time nothing has matched our valuation. It will take a lot of money to get one of our players out of this club and we are calling the shots."

In other Aston Villa transfer news, the club submitted a £20million bid for Premier League striker.

Aston Villa

Jonathan Kodjia