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Swansea City boss Paul Clement says Neil Taylor-Jordan Ayew deal close

Swansea manager Paul Clement has said a deal to sign Aston Villa midfielder Jordan Ayew, with Wales defender Neil Taylor moving in the opposite direction, is close.

The deal will also see Villa receive a fee that could rise up to £5 million, PA Sport reported.

"It is not done yet, but it is close to being done,'' Clement told a news conference.

"Neil has been a great servant to this club, but I feel it is the right time for a new challenge for him and he would like to take it."

Full-back Taylor joined Swansea from Wrexham in 2010 and was part of the side that won promotion to the Premier League the following year.

The 27-year-old made nearly 180 appearances for Swansea and helped Wales reach the semifinals of Euro 2016.

Ayew was linked with Swansea last season when his brother, Andre, was at the Liberty Stadium before joining West Ham in a £20.5 million move.

The 25-year-old is currently representing Ghana at the African Nations Cup in Gabon but Swansea can complete the deal because he recently completed a medical with the Football Association for insurance purposes.

Clement said: "We brought [Martin] Olsson in from Norwich so we had three left-backs and I only need two, and we get a young offensive talent who will add to what we have.

"Ayew can play wide or through the middle and I like that versatility."