Everton defender Tyias Browning is reportedly close to joining Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season.
According to Read Everton, a deal has been struck between the two clubs, leaving Browning to finalise personal terms with the Championship side.
Browning, who joined the Toffees’ academy as a 10-year-old, is primarily a central defender but has also played in both full-back positions for Everton, and is likely to leave the Blues when his contract expires this summer.
Now 24, he remains nowhere near the first team picture at Goodison Park; his only involvement this season came as an unused substitute in the 1-1 home draw to Huddersfield in September.
Of his nine Everton appearances, the most recent came in October 2015 and he has since had loan spells in the Championship in the last two seasons at Preston North End and Sunderland.
Villa, ninth in the Championship and five points off the play-off places, would surely welcome the arrival of Browning, given their lack of alternative recognised central defenders.
Manchester United loanee Axel Tuanzebe is sidelined with a foot injury, and with Micah Richards exiled from first team action and Tommy Elphick having only just returned from a loan at Hull City, right-back James Bree had to deputise alongside James Chester in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Preston.
But in terms of Browning’s career, this move would likely be the final chapter in his time at Everton, with a new contract surely not on the cards.