Aston Villa are looking to sign Town left-back Aaron Cresswell for a fee of £3.5 million, according to reports. The 22-year-old was the Blues’ Player of the Year last season having signed from Tranmere last summer.
New Villa manager Paul Lambert is claimed to close to agreeing a fee with Town for the Liverpudlian and hopes to get the deal done within 24 hours.
In October, having impressed in his first couple of months at Portman Road, Cresswell extended his Town contract until June 2015 with the option of a further year.
Cresswell cost the Blues tribunal-set compensation of £240,000 rising to £520,000 based on appearances and promotion after he left Prenton Park at the end of his contract last summer.
Tranmere would be entitled 20% of Town's profit if and when the full-back is sold. In addition to the £240,000 initial fee, the tribunal awarded Rovers £45,000 after Cresswell makes 15, 30, 45 and 60 appearances for the Blues, plus a further £100,000 should Town reach the Premier League by the summer of 2014.
Cresswell has so far made 46 appearances for Town, scoring one goal, taking the fee Town have paid up to now to £375,000.