Aston Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo resigned to losing Idrissa Gana
Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo is resigned to losing Idrissa Gana as the midfielder closes in on a move to Everton.
The Senegal international is expected to complete the switch within the next 48 hours, with the Toffees having triggered a £7.2 million release clause in his contract.
Di Matteo had been keen to keep the 26-year-old but admits his "hands are tied".
"There's not much you can do because he has a clause in his contract," said Di Matteo.
"That's something I inherited so my hands are tied. We'll be losing him."
A number of other clubs had been linked with a move for Gana, who joined Villa from Lille in a £9m deal last summer.
Di Matteo added: "There are other clubs interested. But the only official bid so far has been Everton."
"The fact that he is leaving is down to the clause he had in his contract.
"Otherwise there would have been no chance. We're not a club who is looking to sell.
"We don't have to, we don't need to."
