Norwich City set for another transfer exit as midfielder closes in on switch to France

Norwich City midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou is close to joining French side Stade Brestois 29.

The Ligue 1 side have reportedly agreed a deal with the Canaries to sign Lees-Melou, who joined the club last summer from Nice once promotion to the Premier League was confirmed.

But after a season in which he appeared in 33 domestic games and only managed one goal and one assist as the club were relegated to the Championship, his short-lived spell in England appears to be over.

Reports in France from Le Telegramme claim the 29-year-old will undergo a medical today (Friday) for a deal in the region of £3.5million and Norwich will look to sign a replacement before the transfer window closes on September 1.

Lees-Melou will be the second player to depart Norwich this week after Christoph Zimmermann joined German side Darmstadt. Christos Tzolis appears to have one foot out the door too as he nears a move to FC Twente.

Dean Smith has made rebuilding the midfield a priority after losing Billy Gilmour at the end of the season after his loan deal expired and he returned to parent club Chelsea. So far, Isaac Hayden and new signing Gabriel Sara have been brought in on a loan and permanent transfer respectively ahead of the Championship season.