'I know from my sources' - Aston Villa nearly signed Brighton deadline-day arrival

Femi Azeez attracted interest from Aston Villa before securing his £15million move to Brighton on transfer deadline day.

That is according to former senior Villa scout and Millwall legend, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 25-year-old has undergone a medical with the Seagulls and has signed a long-term contract after a deal worth an initial £12.5m with around £2.5m in add-ons was agreed.

Azeez scored 11 goals and provided seven assists in a standout Championship campaign last season, and was on the radar of several Premier League sides.

Brighton have pulled the trigger, however, and the winger will likely come straight in when he returns from the injury he picked up in Millwall's opening game.

Villa ultimately secured a £47m deal for Ibrahim Mbaye on the right of their attack and could still part ways with Leon Bailey amid interest from the Saudi Pro League, with their own transfer deadline falling on Sunday.

Brighton a 'good move' for Femi Azeez

Azeez was incredibly effective in the Championship for Millwall last season, and was named in the PFA Team of the Year.

The Nigeria international was also rewarded with his first senior international call-up in May, and took full advantage.

In an incredible debut, the forward scored twice against Zimbabwe before claiming an assist against Jamaica in his second game.

As do many Brighton signings, Azeez could well be a gem that many other Premier League clubs have missed out on.

"I know from my sources that Villa had a look at this boy Azeez earlier, but of course he's been injured. He got injured in the first game," King told Football Insider.

"But I can see him going to Brighton. I think that'd be a good move for him, because I think he lives nearer Brighton than he does Millwall, actually.

"I'm surprised that another London Premier League club, you know, a Fulham or, well, he wouldn't have gone to West Ham, but certainly Fulham."

Azeez's most eye-catching stats

In the Championship last season, Azeez averaged an impressive 2.88 shots and 2.15 chances created per game.

The winger also completed 1.51 successful dribbles and averaged 3.23 defensive contributions per game.

But it the efficiency of Azeez in the final third that has likely drawn Brighton into signing him.

The 25-year-old created an astonishing 0.58 big chances per game last season, better than over 96 per cent of the rest of the league.