Fabrizio Romano says Aston Villa ‘golden boy’ is set to join Premier League rivals

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Aston Villa are currently very busy on the transfer front ahead of a big 2024/25 campaign.

The Villans finished fourth in the Premier League to secure their place in the Champions League, and they will need to strengthen to ensure they can handle the extra workload.

At the same time, Villa must stay on the right side of profit and sustainability rules, as well as offloading any players surplus to requirements and streamline the squad.

The Villa Park outfit is currently spinning several plates on the transfer front, such as the Douglas Luiz swap deal and the Ian Maatsen discussions.

Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, one of Villa’s top academy graduates has reportedly sealed a deal to join a Premier League rival.

• READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano says Aston Villa are closing in on Rodri-like midfielder

Tim Iroegbunam set to leave Aston Villa and join Everton

The player in question is Tim Iroegbunam, who has all-but sealed a move to Everton after discussions between all the relevant parties.

Romano has taken to X to report that the Toffees have completed a deal to sign the 20-year-old for a fee in the region of £9million, with a medical to follow.

Everton will next look to complete the deal to re-sign Jack Harrison on loan from Leeds United, added the transfer insider.

Who is Aston Villa academy graduate Iroegbunam?

Tim Iroegbunam is a 20-year-old midfielder who has been on Villa’s books since 2021, when he joined their academy setup from West Bromwich Albion.

He has made 19 competitive appearances for the Villans, as well as 32 for Queens Park Rangers during his loan stint in west London in 2022/23.

Iroegbunam has been tipped for a bright future in the game, with Villa ace Boubacar Kamara calling him a “golden boy” on Instagram in April 2023.

However, it looks as though the Villans have decided to cash in on him, and Everton look set to be the beneficiaries.

With Premier League clubs having to abide by profit and sustainability rules, many tough decisions are having to be made on the transfer front to help balance the books.