Town reportedly remain favourites to sign Hull City winger Jaden Philogene, despite yesterday’s late move by his former club Aston Villa.
The Blues have agreed a double deal with the Tigers for Philogene and central defender Jacob Greaves understood to be worth between £35 and £40 million up front plus add-ons.
The Greaves deal is all but done but there continues to remain a question regarding the acquisition of Philogene, whose valuation is understood to be £18 million of the overall deal.
Yesterday, Villa, who sold the 22-year-old to Hull for £5 million a year ago, activated the matching rights clause in that deal.
But, according to Hull Live, the Blues remain the favourites to sign the England U21 international with the move having looked on track to go through with personal terms agreed prior to Villa joining the hunt.
In a surprise move, Philogene has now joined up with the Hull squad for their pre-season camp in Türkiye, he and Greaves having initially stayed behind.
Villa’s matching rights allowed them to equal any offer the Tigers received within 72 hours. Should Town - or any other club with Everton understood to remain keen - make an increased offer, the Midlanders will then have to decide whether to remain in the race.
It’s understood that the deal which saw Philogene move to East Yorkshire last summer included a 30 per cent sell-on, while personal terms for his potential return were pre-agreed.
Philogene, who has two years left on his Hull contract with the club having an option for another season, joined Villa’s academy from the Pro:Direct Academy and spent spells on loan with Stoke and Cardiff City prior to making his £5 million switch to the MKM Stadium a year ago.
The Greaves side of the deal is all but done but awaiting the completion of the Philogene move.
Town, who have already added Omari Hutchinson and Ben Johnson to their squad this summer, look set to complete the addition of Manchester City’s Liam Delap today.
As revealed yesterday, Delap has undergone his medical and agreed personal terms at Portman Road.