Aston Villa's Morgan Sanson set to join Nice on season-long loan

The 28-year-old has left Villa’s pre-season tour of the USA to complete a move which could eventually seal his permanent departure from the Premier League club.

Sanson has started just six league matches since arriving from Marseille for £13million in January, 2021.

The former France under-21 international, who has two years remaining on his contract, spent the second half of last season on loan at Strasbourg and the move to Nice is thought to include an option to buy.

Boss Unai Emery confirmed Sanson was “very close” to leaving after watching Villa draw 3-3 with Newcastle in Philadelphia on Sunday.

Another midfielder, Leander Dendoncker, has remained in the UK after his partner gave birth.

Winger Leon Bailey is due to join up with the Villa squad on Thursday after featuring for Jamaica at the Gold Cup, while playmaker Philippe Coutinho could feature in Wednesday’s friendly against Fulham in Orlando.