Unai Emery: Two Aston Villa deals are 'close'

The Netherlands international is poised to join for an initial £19m fee in a deal which will also pave the way for Jaden Philogene to join Ipswich for £21m.

Villa are keen on further deals as they look to strengthen their squad for the second half of the season but Emery admitted incomings will be dependent on departures, with the club having to remain compliant with profit and sustainability rules.

Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza is among the targets, though a potential sale of Diego Carlos to Fenerbahce is close to breaking down.

“We are in the transfer window and we are trying to do some movements,” said Emery. “One of those movements is the possibility to sign Malen. In case Malen signs for us, it is close, we have to leave one player, which is Jaden [Philogene].

"We are alert and we want to always be ready to improve the squad with the players and, of course, sometimes some players want to leave us for different circumstances as well. 

“We are moving forward with some circumstances like I am telling you from today until the last day of the window.

"If we are changing one player, Malen and Jaden, that’s the first. Maybe two or three players more, we can do another deal of some players leaving and some players joining us."

Carlos is unavailable for Wednesday’s trip to Everton due to injury. Ross Barkley (calf), John McGinn (hamstring) and Pau Torres (foot) are also absent.

Of the trio, McGinn is the closest to returning but still faces around another week out.