Aston Villa have agreed a deal to bring Clermont midfielder Yacouba Sylla to the club, according to reports.
The transfer will cost an initial £2m but that fee could rise depending on appearance, according to The Sun.
If the deal is completed, it will be Paul Lambert's first signing of the transfer window.
Sylla has impressed in a holding midfield role for Clermont, who are currently struggling at 14th in Ligue 2.
Lambert was rumoured to be targeting Moussa Sissoko before Newcastle United signed the 23-year-old.
