Aston Villa closing in on £18m Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell ...

Aston Villa are set to make their first signing of the year with the £18 million capture of Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen.

Villa have agreed an initial fee for the Netherlands international and hope to complete a deal before their Premier League match at David Moyes’s Everton on Wednesday night.

Malen has been a priority target for Unai Emery in the January window and negotiations between the two clubs have been ongoing over the past 10 days.

Villa have now made a breakthrough and Malen, 25, is expected to have a medical in the next 48 hours.

Emery has targeted the addition of a forward who is versatile enough to play across the front three and Malen quickly emerged as the club’s No 1 target in the position.

Villa are also expected to ramp up their interest in Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza this weekend. Mingueza was watched by Monchi, Villa’s president of football operations, in the La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano on Friday night.

The Spain international is another top target for Emery as he focuses on bringing in a new right-back.

Emery said: “We are in the transfer window, the club is moving forward to try to increase our level in the squad, in case we can sign a new player and in case someone has to leave, we are open to do it.”

Villa are also working on outgoings with Diego Carlos in talks over a move to Turkish club Fenerbahce.

Carlos has been available over the last two transfer windows and removing his high wages would be a major boost as they continue to comply with profitability and sustainability rules.