Villa set to sign Chelsea's Jean-Francois
Oriane Jean-Francois has made 21 appearances for France
- Published
Aston Villa are set to sign Chelsea midfielder Oriane Jean-Francois on a permanent deal for £450,000.
The 24-year-old joined Chelsea from Paris St-Germain in 2024 and Villa's fee is set to be a club record sale for the Blues.
The France midfielder has struggled to get regular game time at Chelsea, while Villa have shown ambition this season, bringing in Arsenal's Jenna Nighswonger on loan until the end of the season earlier on Saturday.
Villa are eighth in the Women's Super League with three wins and four draws from their opening 11 matches.
They have an option to make the move permanent for defender Nighswonger.
The 25-year-old, who was was part of the USA squad that won Olympic gold at Paris 2024, has played only 16 minutes in the WSL this season.
"We have been tracking her for some time and are delighted that she has bought into our exciting project," said Villa director of women's football Marisa Ewers.
"This signing forms part of our growing ambitions as we continue to build an exciting and competitive squad, and we believe Jenna will add real quality to the group."
Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed