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French club continue negotiations over Aston Villa midfielder – report
By Dominic Toner
Marseille are in talks this weekend to clinch a loan deal for Aston Villa midfielder Jordan Veretout, according to a report.
La Liga duo Celta Vigo and Real Betis were both reportedly interested in the Frenchman earlier this month, but could lose out to the Ligue 1 side.
French publication L’Equipe report that Marseille are in talks to sign Veretout but are yet to agree a deal, which is believed to be an initial loan move.
The French club are set to lose young winger Georges-Kevin N’Koudou after a £10.8million deal was agreed with Tottenham.
Veretout only joined Villa last summer from French club Nantes after spurning Leicester’s advances to link up with then manager Tim Sherwood.
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The former France Under-21 midfielder was a regular under Sherwood and Remi Garde but was frozen out towards the end of the campaign under caretaker boss Eric Black.
Veretout is only one year into a five-year contract that he signed when he joined last summer, which should enable Villa to recoup much of the £7.5million fee they spent to bring him from France.
New Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo has been linked with a move for midfielder Liam Bridcutt who could be a possible replacement for Veretout.
Villa owner Tony Xia has offered assurances that senior pair Jordan Ayew and Jordan Amavi will not be sold this summer, despite the current reshuffling being done by Di Matteo as they prepare for life in the Championship.
In other Aston Villa transfer news, fans have reacted on Twitter to the departure of midfielder.