Sources: Aston Villa star Finn Azaz undergoing Middlesbrough medical after bid accepted

On-loan Aston Villa midfielder Finn Azaz is headed to the north-east for a medical at Middlesbrough, sources have told Football Insider.

Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (3 January) that Boro have agreed to pay Villa a fee of around £2million for Azaz after having a bid accepted.

The 23-year-old is now set to undergo medical checks on Teesside and personal terms are also being discussed as Michael Carrick’s side close in on a full agreement.

As previously revealed, Middlesbrough have beaten off interest from Southampton, Bristol City and Toulouse for the 23-year-old in what will be a statement signing.

In his first taste of Championship football, Azaz had a significant impact while on loan at Plymouth during the first half of the 2023–24 season.

If Boro and the midfield player can come to a complete understanding, he will be called up from his stint at Home Park.

The London-born star has made 28 appearances for Plymouth so far this season in all competitions, recording

seven goals and five assists.

He also spent all of last season at Home Park as the Pilgrims won the League One title, racking up eight goals and 10 assists in 39 games.

Azaz joined Aston Villa from West Brom in 2021 but failed to make a senior appearance for either side.

But loan spells in the EFL with Cheltenham, Newport County and now Plymouth have seen his stock steadily rise and he will now get the chance to impress at a permanent new home.

Azaz could make his Middlesbrough debut against Aston Villa when the two sides face off in the FA Cup third round on Saturday (6 January).

Carrick’s Boro are four points behind sixth-place Sunderland in the playoff standings, having finished 12th in the Championship.

Also, AC Milan and Inter Milan are in negotiations to capture an Aston Villa player.

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk