Norwich City are reportedly on the verge of signing Nice midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou, as they look to replace Emiliano Buendia this summer.

* The deal has since been confirmed (official).

The Lowdown: Norwich plan for life in the Premier League

The Canaries booked their place back in the Premier League last season, sealing title glory in the Championship in the process.

The aim now has to be to avoid a swift relegation back to the second tier, instead taking a leaf out of Leeds' book and becoming an established top-flight outfit straight away.

That objective will of course be made more difficult by the departure of Buendia.

The Latest: Lees-Melou set to seal move

It is vital that the Argentine is replaced before the start of the season, following his move to Aston Villa, and it looks as though Lees-Melou could be that man.

According to Nice Matin [via Sport Witness], Norwich are closing in on the signing of the 28-year-old, who scored four times for Nice in Ligue 1 last season.

A €6million (£5.1m) move is expected to be completed imminently, with the French outlet claiming Lees-Melou  ‘will sign in the next few hours’.

The Verdict: Ideal acquisition

This could be an exciting addition for Daniel Farke's side, bringing quality and experience in the middle of the park.

The 28 year-old has 151 appearances in Ligue 1 alone, highlighting his pedigree, with that level of top-flight know-how needed if Norwich are to remain in the Premier League. He has scored 23 times and registered 18 assists in those games.

While Lees-Melou isn't as prolific as Buendia in the final third, potentially playing slightly deeper, he could still help fill the void left by the Argentine, as he averaged 1.5 shots per game last season and can play in a variety of midfield and attacking positions (Whoscored).

In other news, another Premier League club has been linked with a move for a Norwich star. Find out who it is here.