“?Aston Villa’s new manager Roberto Di Matteo is set to capture Bournemouth captain Tommy Elphick by the end of the week for around £3m should personal terms be agreed, according to “?BBC journalist Pat Murphy.
Di Matteo is said to have been given the go-ahead by Bournemouth after making an approach for the 29-year-old centre-back, who is the Italian’s first venture into the transfer market since becoming Villa boss.
Tommy Elphick close to signing for @AVFCOfficial before end of week for around £3m. Personal terms being discussed with the central defender
The 46-year-old manager, who won the Champions League when in charge of Chelsea, is looking to secure quality signings quickly so as to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking following last season’s relegation.
This comes just days after the “?Birmingham Mail “?reported that Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe had no intention to sell the former Brighton & Hove Albion player, who joined the Cherries in 2012 but featured just 12 times over the course last season due to injury.
However, fans of Aston Villa will be eager to see their club, who were yesterday officially taken over by Chinese businessman Tony Xia, bolster their defensive ranks after letting in 76 goals during the last campaign.
Speaking to “?BBC West Midlands, Xia said he wanted European Cup winners Villa to soon have the stature of Barcelona or Real Madrid.
He added: “I hope in five years, or after five years, we will talk of this club as Madrid or Barcelona.
Aston Villa have £3m bid for Tommy Elphick accepted #AVFC #afcbhttps://t.co/SUD6B6xij2 pic.twitter.com/OftcYQIsR3
“Or someone else as well known and accepted by people in the world to say ‘oh, that’s the greatest club.
Xia has enlisted, subject to Football League approval, former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness is to become the club’s new chief executive.
“This is a new challenge,” added Dr Xia.
“I am looking forward to working with Roberto, Keith and everyone else. I want to take this club back to the right place. We will do whatever we can to support Robbie.”
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