By admin 
Aston Villa are closing in on Galatasaray attacking midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo and are negotiating with Sevilla for left-back Marcos Acuna.
After reaching an agreement with the Turkish club on Monday, Zaniolo is set to join Villa on an initial loan within the next 48 hours.
The former Serie A Young Player of the Year from Italy has joined Villa after Emiliano Buendia suffered a catastrophic knee injury in training.
Zaniolo, 24, is expected to come into England this week before finalizing his move ahead of Sunday’s home match against Everton.
Unai Emery is also keen on bringing in Argentina international Acuna as a substitute for Lucas Digne, who has attracted attention from Saudi teams.
Acuna has been with Sevilla for nearly three years, and Villa are considering bringing him to the Premier League.
Digne is said to be the latest star to be approached about a move to the ambitious Saudi Pro League, with Riyadh heavyweights Al-Hilal one of several alternatives.
The £25 million transfer from Everton comes with hefty salaries, and despite appearing in their season opener, a 5-1 loss at Newcastle on Saturday, Villa are eager to let him go.
With left-back Alex Moreno expected to return later this month following hamstring surgery, Emery wants to add another player in that position as Villa prepare for the added demands of European football, an area in which their Spanish manager is somewhat of an expert, having won the Europa Cup four times.
Emery says that the goal this season is to win a trophy, and that progressing in the Europa League will be the least of his and the club’s concerns.