Championship outfit Aston Villa are set to close the signing of Le Havre defender Harold Moukoudi.

Moukoudi has been chased by Middlesbrough but Villa beat there promotion rivals by bringing him in from Le Havre by private jet.

The defender pulled out of a French League Cup tie to head for England and sort out terms ahead of the late switch.

The Sun says Villa will pay a loan fee and have to agree to a permanent transfer for the £10million-rated Moukoudi. They would rather pay less.

Olympique Marseille were also interested in Moukoudi.