Sources: Aston Villa agree to sign West Brom star Azaz
Aston Villa have agreed to sign West Brom rising star Finn Azaz, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.
The Midlands giants are set to add to their already significant recruitment drive with the capture of the 20-year-old.
A Villa source has told Football Insider that midfielder Azaz has reached an agreement with the club and will complete a move soon.
He will become the latest Albion talent to make the short journey from the Hawthorns to Villa Park.
Aston Villa have also agreed to sign Tim Iroegbunam and will pay a six-figure compensation fee to their neighbours for the 18-year-old midfielder.
In yet another potential deal, Dean Smith's side have set their sights on signing Fenton Heard, 16, from West Brom.
The most high profile of those at Aston Villa who started off at the Hawthorns is Louie Barry, although he arrived at Villa Park via the unconventional route of Barcelona following a year overseas.
Azaz has more first-team experience than any of the other youngsters after a productive loan spell last season at Cheltenham Town in League Two.
The youngster made 27 league starts among 44 appearances in all competitions as he played a crucial role in Cheltenham's promotion-winning campaign.
That has been crucial in him earning a move to Villa as they continue their drive to snap up top young English talents in this summer's window.
The most high profile purchase so far has been Ajani Burchall, who joined from Bournemouth last week amid strong interest from rival Premier League clubs.
As revealed by Football Insider on 14 July, Villa have also registered their interest in Everton wonderkid Thierry Small as he looks to quit Goodison.