Aston Villa boss Dean Smith is closing in on the signing of Levante midfielder Cheick Doukoure.

Smith is fighting off the attention of Rayo Vallecano to land the 26-year-old on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The Ivory Coast international is well-known to the club's new sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch who has strong links in the region.

The player is out-of-favour at the Valencia club and will be allowed to leave.