Aston Villa nearing deal for Hull City wing-back Ahmed Elmohamady

The Egypt international has been on boss Steve Bruce’s radar for much of the summer and is now understood to be a serious target.

Elmohamady is widely expected to leave Hull during the transfer window and Villa have stepped up their interest and remain hopeful of sealing a switch soon.

The 29-year-old, who can operate as a right-back or wing-back, is well known by Bruce, who first brought him to England in 2010 when boss at Sunderland.

Elmohamady then rejoined Bruce at Hull in 2012, initially on loan, going on to play a key role in two Championship promotion campaigns on Humberside.

In total, he has made 218 appearances in all competitions over the course of five years with the Tigers.

Villa have plenty of competition at right-back with Ritchie De Laet, now returned to fitness after nine months out with a knee injury, set to battle it out with Alan Hutton and James Bree for a starting spot.

But Bruce sees Elmohamady’s versatility as an asset as he ponders possible changes in formation ahead of the new season.

Centre-back John Terry is Villa’s only signing of the summer to date but the return to pre-season training has seen things move up a gear and plenty of movement, both in and out, is expected before the Championship season gets underway on August 5.