Linfield winger Cole Brannigan is set to join Aston Villa.

The Belfast Telegraph says Villa are set to sign Brannigan for a fee in the region of £150,000 plus add-ons.

The 16-year-old is viewed as one of the most exciting prospects in Northern Ireland, and has been linked with Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Leeds.

Brannigan impressed for Northern Ireland U16s in the Victory Shield, and has also starred for Linfield Rangers in the U18 Academy League. He is poised to follow in the footsteps of former Linfield academy graduates Callum Marshall and Trai Hume, who joined West Ham and Sunderland respectively, by moving to England.