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Aston Villa have now reached a “verbal agreement” to sign a new player for Unai Emery after having a big-money “bid accepted”, as per Fabrizio Romano.

Aston Villa’s quiet summer so far

The Villans, Monchi and NSWE have been unusually quiet so far in the transfer window, bringing in four new players. Yasin Ozcan, Zepiqueno Redmond, Marco Bizot Brest and Modou Keba Cisse have been brought in from Kasimpasa, Feyenoord, Brest and LASK respectively.

Dream for Watkins: Aston Villa reach agreement for "Fernandes-esque" star

As Aston Villa seek their first proper signing of the window, could it a “Bruno Fernandes-esque” star?

By
Ben Gray

Aug 5, 2025

Ozcan has since been sent on loan to Anderlecht, and transfer activity looks set to increase between now and the September 1 deadline.

However, Emery has recently admitted that Villa “don’t have the same power economically” as some of their rivals at the top of the Premier League.

“We need to join some players in the level we want to achieve, but we don’t have the same power economically like seven other teams in the Premier League.

“We must be more intelligent and anticipate something. It is very exciting, the work for me and the club. We are really improving and meeting our objectives, but there is still work to do. We have to be demanding and intelligent.”

Despite Villa’s constant PSR concerns, they now look set to splash the cash on one particular target in their most expensive deal of the window.

Aston Villa have £30m+ "bid accepted" for Evann Guessand

Transfer expert Romano took to X on Monday to share a big transfer breakthrough out of Villa Park. He revealed that Aston Villa have reached a “verbal agreement” after having a “bid accepted” to sign Evann Guessand from OGC Nice.

Guessand now has permission to travel to the Midlands, with a medical and contract signing the next steps ahead of a €35m (£30.4m) transfer.

An Ivory Coast international, Guessand is primarily a centre-forward but can also play on either wing if required, so he’ll provide Emery with a versatile attacking option.

The 24-year-old is valued at a career-high €25m by Transfermarkt, so although Villa are paying over that figure, they are getting a forward who has just enjoyed his best season in front of goal.

He netted 12 Ligue 1 goals and registered nine assists in 33 appearances, while also playing in the Europa League, scoring once.

The Athletic’s Alex Barker has called Guessand an “unpredictable” attacker who is a “real physical handful”, while adding that he is “capable of knocking the ball past opponents and overtaking them through pace”.

It looks as if Villa will soon have an exciting new forward on the Villa Park books, providing real competition to Ollie Watkins in the process.

Vinicius Junior’s frustrations at Real Madrid have surfaced after he was benched again, this time in the Champions League win over Marseille. Xabi Alonso admitted the Brazilian was not ready to talk immediately after the match, but revealed the forward was in better spirits during training. Madrid now face Espanyol in La Liga, with selection questions looming.

• Vinicius unsettled by bench role

  The Vinicius case is disrupting Real Madrid’s early-season rhythm, as the Brazilian, who only last year was considered a potential Ballon d’Or winner, has now started on the bench in two of the club’s opening five matches. Against Marseille, he left the Bernabeu pitch visibly frustrated and was the first player to walk off, while Kylian Mbappe once again dominated the headlines with penalties that sealed the deal for Madrid.

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  Xabi explains his approach

  Madrid boss Alonso admitted he held back from a discussion the day after the Marseille match, choosing instead to wait until training the following day. 

  "Yesterday wasn’t the time to talk to Vinicius," the coach explained on Friday. "But today he had a better smile and was more positive. I spoke to him and ended up doing some individualised things with him during training. We’ll see tomorrow."

• Mbappe leads, Vinicius rotates in Champions league

  Vini’s shift from being Madrid’s franchise player to a rotational option has been star, and with Mbappe scoring six goals in five matches, making him the focal point of Alonso’s system, while Rodrygo has been favoured on the left wing. For Vinicius, this represents an uncomfortable adjustment, with his face and body language at Marseille reflecting his unease. Alonso, however, insisted that “there are many important players in this squad. Vinicius is one of them, Jude [Bellingham], Fede [Valverde], Aurelien [Tchouameni], Dean [Huijsen], Arda [Guler]… I want the whole team to feel important. Everyone is in this boat, and we need everyone to pull in the same direction.”

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  Espanyol challenge looms in La Liga

  Madrid’s focus now shifts to Espanyol, who arrive at the Bernabeu in strong form. The Catalans sit third in La Liga with 10 points from their opening four matches, including wins over Atletico Madrid, Osasuna and Mallorca. They stunned Los Blancos 1-0 in February and, though without a Bernabeu victory since 1996, have confidence under new ownership and signings such as Tyrhys Dolan and goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic. For Alonso, the question remains whether Vinicius is trusted to start or left to battle his way back.

  Madrid enter the weekend two points clear at the top of La Liga after five consecutive wins in all competitions, but squad management is already a pressing issue. With Trent Alexander-Arnold sidelined through injury and Mbappe carrying the scoring load, Alonso must decide whether to restore Vinicius against Espanyol or continue easing him into a secondary role. The Brazilian’s reaction in the coming weeks could define both his season and the balance of Madrid’s attacking trio.

Glasgow Rangers manager Russell Martin is still looking to add more players to his squad before the summer transfer window slams shut at the start of next month.

Prior to the draw with Dundee at Ibrox last weekend, the Light Blues head coach confirmed that the club are not finished in the transfer market yet.

The Gers have already brought in the likes of Oliver Antman, Djeidi Gassama, Thelo Aasgaard, Joe Rothwell, Max Aarons, Nasser Djiga, among others, to bolster their options across the pitch.

But a return of two points in two games in the Scottish Premiership so far shows that there is still more work for the Ibrox giants to do to build a team that can compete for trophies.

Rangers exploring deal for Premier League midfielder

Despite already signing Rothwell, Lyall Cameron, and Aasgaard to add to their options in the middle of the park, the Gers are reportedly keen on a Premier League talent in that area of the pitch.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to the Scotsman, Rangers are exploring a deal to sign Andy Irving from West Ham United because they feel that he would be a ‘worthwhile’ addition.

The report claims that Celtic, Sturm Graz, Stuttgart, and Borussia Monchengladbach are also interested in the Scotland international, which means that there is plenty of competition for his signature.

Meanwhile, Claret & Hugh backs up that claim that Rangers and Celtic are exploring a possible move for the central midfielder, and adds that it would take a fee of around £3m to get a deal done for him.

Why Rangers should sign Andy Irving

The Gers should swoop to sign the Scotland international because he is a midfielder with the potential to be Barry Ferguson 2.0 at Ibrox with his attacking qualities.

Way before he was the interim head coach in Glasgow last season, Ferguson was a terrific central midfielder for the Light Blues. He scored 59 goals and provided 29 assists in 420 matches in all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

Irving only started one Premier League game for West Ham last season, but his form on loan at SK Austria Klagenfurt in the previous two campaigns suggests that he could be a fantastic signing for Rangers.

The left-footed maestro, whose football journey was described as “fascinating” by reporter Barry Anderson, showcased his ability to both score and assist goals at an impressive rate from a central midfield position.

As you can see in the table above, Irving caught the eye with 14 goals and 17 ‘big chances’ created in two seasons in the Austrian Bundesliga before his lack of minutes in the English top-flight last term.

These statistics suggest that the 25-year-old star could follow in Ferguson’s footsteps as a central midfielder and Scotland international who could make a big impact in the final third with goals and assists at Ibrox.

Whether Irving, who has not played in the Premiership since he was at Hearts in the 2019/20 campaign, can translate those performances over to Scotland with Rangers does remain to be seen, though.

At a potential fee of £3m, however, it appears to be a deal that could be worthwhile for the Gers, because they would be bringing in a homegrown, Scotland international, talent who has Premier League experience and the form in Austria to suggest that he could be Ferguson 2.0.

Better signing than Mendy: Rangers line up move to bring £8m star to Ibrox

Rangers are reportedly interested in a deal for a star who would be an even better signing than Nobel Mendy.

By
Dan Emery

Aug 12, 2025

Therefore, Rangers should be pushing to beat Celtic to the signing of the former Jam Tarts man because he could be the next goalscoring Scottish midfield star to grace the pitch at Ibrox.

Barcelona continue to shine in La Liga with the team topping the table after a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad. Key players like Jules Kounde, Robert Lewandowski, and returning star Lamine Yamal impressed, but it was Pedri who stood out as both a midfield engine and an emerging leader. Hansi Flick praised the Spaniard for his tactical intelligence and influence, highlighting his pivotal role in Barca’s resurgence.

• Pedri emerges as a leader

  Goals from Kounde and Lewandowski secured the win as Barca came from behind to capitalise on Real Madrid's slip up and move to the top of the Spanish top flight. Pedri, who played the full 90 minutes, stood out in the middle of the park with his fine dribbles and ability to carve out chances for the hosts. Flick highlighted Pedri’s pivotal role in the victory, noting his development both as a player and as a leader on the pitch. The coach sees Pedri’s growing influence as crucial to Barcelona’s performance and team cohesion.

  "Pedri is special, a great player. He is also becoming a better leader. He is everywhere on the pitch. He gives us control and knows exactly where he should be. He is very good and organises the team very well alongside Frenkie de Jong. I really enjoy those moments," said Flick.

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  Barcelona’s comeback highlights team spirit

  The German also praised the collective effort to bounce back from Sociedad's first-half opener after Kounde levelled matters just before the break and Lewandowski stole the win on the hour mark. He said: “We found it very difficult, but we also deserve this win. I really appreciate how my team is playing, how they perform. It doesn't matter if we change the starting XI a bit, because they all give their all and I love that. I am very proud. It's incredible. I am very happy for them and for the fans.”

• Yamal makes an impact on his return

  Barca were also boosted by the return of Yamal from injury, with the teenager making an immediate impact by setting up Lewandowski's winner a minute after he came off the bench.

  “It's very good to have him back," Flick added, before noting the team's effectiveness from set-pieces. “We practice dead ball situations a lot and it's really important to have this strength. We are very happy with how it is going.”

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  Navigating injuries and fixture congestion

  Flick has expertly managed Barcelona’s squad through a congested schedule and injuries to key midfielders Fermin Lopez and Gavi. Despite these challenges, he has maintained tactical balance and team performance, rotating players effectively without losing intensity or control. The team will next face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on October 1. 

Manchester United have received a shock update on Gareth Southgate’s plans as Ruben Amorim continues to see questions asked of how much longer he will remain in charge at Old Trafford. Change is being mooted as the Red Devils struggle to establish any kind of momentum and consistency. It has been suggested that former England manager Southgate will be in contention if a prominent Premier League managerial post opens up.

• Movement at Old Trafford: Amorim pressure & Southgate links

  Southgate was linked with United during Erik ten Hag’s troubled reign in Manchester. With the Dutch tactician fighting to save his job in March 2024, there was plenty of speculation to be found regarding supposed interest in a man that remained in international football at that point. Southgate is said to have made it clear that he would not be leaving a role with England ahead of Euro 2024.

  He did, however, sever ties with the Three Lions after guiding them to another European Championship final. Ten Hag remained in charge of United at that stage, having overseen FA Cup and Carabao Cup triumphs during his two full seasons at the helm, but he was ushered through the exits at Old Trafford in October 2024. Reins were then passed on to highly-rated Portuguese coach Amorim.

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  Southgate's stance: Response to talk of managerial return

  He has endured a tough time in English football, picking up just 18 wins from 49 games in charge of United. The Red Devils are without European action this season, while a humbling League Cup defeat was suffered early in the 2025-26 campaign at the hands of League Two side Grimsby. Sack calls are growing in intensity once more as United consider more movement in their dugout.

  According to , “Southgate would reject an approach from Manchester United” if Amorim were to be relieved of his duties. It is said that Southgate is “not in any rush to return to football”. He is, however, “keeping his options open – both within the game and outside”. The 55-year-old, who is now a knight of the realm, has agreed to host a new show for the BBC while filling most of his time with speaking engagements and motivational work.

• Man Utd given 'perfect' Southgate advice

  Southgate continues to attend plenty of prominent football fixtures, particularly in the Premier League, so has an eye across what is going on. He is close friends with Dan Ashworth, who is said to have been keen to bring the former Three Lions boss in alongside him at Old Trafford before seeing a forgettable stint as United’s sporting director cut short after just five months.

  The Red Devils are being urged to keep Southgate in mind, with Premier League title-winning ex-England star Joe Cole having said of the former Middlesbrough boss returning to club management: “He [Amorim] was the bright young spark, people were talking about him like he was the messiah coming into Manchester United and would sort everything out. That’s how high his stock was when he left Lisbon.

  “So, he’s clearly a good manager as well, but the mix and the blend of the whole situation, I think it needs a culture change. I thought Gareth Southgate was the perfect man for the job at the state it was in terms of building culture, understanding the club, understanding the league, understanding the players, working with Jim Ratcliffe and people like that, and they went with Amorim, and it doesn’t look like it’s working.”

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  Safe for now: Latest on Amorim's future

  The latest reports claim that Amorim retains the full support of his board for now. His position is not considered to be under imminent threat, despite positive results proving hard to come by. It is, however, apparent that a reversal in fortune is required in order for United to build towards what they hope will be a brighter future.

  Talk of direct contact being made with Southgate has been played down, with it revealed that sacking Amorim would cost United around £15 million ($20m), but debate regarding who could be next to fill the most demanding of roles in Manchester continues to rage.

Crystal Palace are ready to embark on an adventure in the Europa Conference League and have now made an approach to bring another talented defender to Selhurst Park with Jaydee Canvot.

Crystal Palace set to sign Toulouse defender Jaydee Canvot

After qualifying for the Europa Conference League, Crystal Palace are set to sign Canvot from Toulouse and only the final documents remain before he will officially be unveiled.

Revealing the news on social media platform X, Fabrizio Romano stated: “Crystal Palace agree deal to sign French centre back Jaydee Canvot after exclusive story revealed last week. CPFC finalising documents exchange with Toulouse. Here we go.”

Seeking to bolster further up the pitch, Crystal Palace could also look to strike a deal for Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson before the window closes after capturing Yeremy Pino from Villarreal.

Coming in to replace Eze, Pino said on their website: “I’m very happy to be here. It is a dream of mine to come to the Premier League, to a historic club like Crystal Palace, and I hope that I can help the team.”

Of course, speculation over Marc Guehi and a proposed move to Liverpool refuses to die down, and it remains to be seen whether anything will advance after the Eagles booked their place in the Conference League league phase after defeating Fredrikstad FK.

Crystal Palace now "enter" to hijack Wolves move for "fabulous" £17m ace

The Eagles are lining up a swoop for a new midfielder.

By
Dominic Lund

Aug 28, 2025

AZ Alkmaar, Dynamo Kiev, KUPS, Strasbourg, Aek Larnaca and Shelbourne await in the competition proper, offering a realistic chance of progression for the South London club as they aim to make inroads continentally.

With that in mind, Crystal Palace have made an approach for a reputable defender who could arrive on loan before the window closes, per recent reports.

Crystal Palace make late approach for Mohammed Salisu

According to Ed Aarons on X, Crystal Palace have made a loan approach to sign AS Monaco defender Mohammed Salisu to bolster their pool of options in defence.

With their pursuit of Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji still ongoing amid interest from Galatasaray and Bayer Leverkusen, it appears that the Eagles have moved the dial towards other players who could enrich their backline.

Labelled “phenomenal” by Danny Murphy, Salisu scored three times in 24 appearances across all competitions last season and won 66 duels in Ligue 1, per Fotmob.

Formerly of Southampton, the 19-cap Ghana international would arrive with Premier League experience under his belt and offers stability should Guehi leave before next Monday’s deadline.

Seemingly part of a moving sequence of events, it will be intriguing to see if their pursuit of Akanji is now abandoned, given Canvot is set to sign on at Selhurst Park.

Barcelona have made Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez their top target for the 2026 summer window. He has been identified as the replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who could leave the club in 2026, creating financial room for Barcelona to sign Alvarez. The Argentine has admired the club since childhood, inspired by his Argentina teammate and idol Lionel Messi.

• Barcelona's interest in Alvarez and his release clause

  According to Spanish outlet , Alvarez has a €500 million (£436m/$587m) release clause and is under contract with Atletico until 2030. Barcelona expect Atletico to use that clause as leverage and are unlikely to negotiate for less than €200m (£174m/$234m).

  However, Barcelona believe personal terms will not be an issue, as Alvarez is a lifelong fan of the club, inspired by his Argentina teammate Lionel Messi. The forward has been identified as the successor to Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, whose potential departure could ease Barcelona’s financial situation and allow them to pursue Alvarez without breaking La Liga's spending rules.

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  Alvarez's electric start and spat with Simeone

  Alvarez has enjoyed a strong start to the season, scoring six goals and providing one assist in seven games, including a brace against Real Madrid in the derby last week. Some controversy arose when he appeared frustrated after being substituted by Atletico manager Diego Simeone in a match against Mallorca. However, Alvarez has since dismissed any talk of a rift, insisting that everything is fine between him and the coach.

• Barcelona's alternate options

  With presidential elections approaching, Barcelona president Joan Laporta is seeking a high-profile signing to lift the morale of the fans. While Alvarez remains the top target, another option under consideration is Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. Meanwhile, coach Hansi Flick is said to fancy Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy as a potential alternative.

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  Barcelona and Alvarez' challenges up ahead

  Barcelona are set to host defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Meanwhile, Alvarez and Atletico Madrid will aim to return to winning ways in the competition when they face Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday.

West Ham’s stance on selling Lucas Paqueta to Tottenham has now been revealed by a reliable Lilywhites insider, with Spurs boss Thomas Frank still scrambling to sign a new number 10 before the transfer deadline on September 1.

The north Londoners have expressed a serious late interest in Paqueta, and Fabrizio Romano has already confirmed that they’ve reached out over a potential deal by making contact.

The Hammers midfielder, who was recently cleared of spot-fixing charges which he’s battled for almost two years, is now looking to rediscover his best Premier League form after West Ham stood by him during the scandal.

West Ham already lost Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham in a deal worth £55 million earlier in the window, but the consensus is that Spurs could now look to poach yet another Irons star from the London Stadium in Paqueta.

His best season came in 2022/2023, right after joining Lyon from West Ham for a club-record £51 million.

The 28-year-old bagged five goals and seven assists in all competitions, setting up Jarrod Bowen’s winner in the Conference League final, with Paqueta racking up around 34 goal contributions in total since signing for the club.

The Brazil international also boasts 55 caps for his star-studded nation, and this late in the window, he could be one of Tottenham’s only options who might actually upgrade Frank’s squad.

West Ham's stance on selling Lucas Paqueta as Tottenham make contact

Amid Spurs’ approach for the player, very reliable club insider Paul O’Keefe has shared an update on West Ham’s stance when it comes to selling one of their only prized assets with just days remaining till the summer deadline.

According to O’Keefe, West Ham are in fact prepared to sell Paqueta for the right offer, but any Spurs deal hinges on Graham Potter’s side finding a replacement.

If a transfer domino takes effect, which would allow Frank to welcome Paqueta to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Flamengo’s Filipe Luis thinks that they’d be landing a player suited to any team in world football.

GOAL ranks the top three soccer players produced by every state in the South, including Dempsey, Richards and Graham Zusi

Welcome to the South. American soccer, traditionally, has been concentrated in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic states, the Pacific Northwest and California. But there are some ballers from down south, too. Texas, in particular, has delivered top-level talent, with Clint Dempsey, Stu Holden and Omar Gonzalez – all seminal figures in the American game – coming from of the Lone Star State.

The South has contributed plenty. Florida, Alabama, Virginia and Maryland – if we're being a little generous geographically – have all had their part to play in the story of American soccer. And what they perhaps lack in number, they more than make up for with a little bit of southern grit. As Dempsey once said: "You don't know where I'm from, dawg."

Some regions in the U.S. have deeper player pools than others, so who is the best of the best? Which state has been the most fertile ground for developing American soccer talent?

GOAL ranks the top three men's soccer players from each of the 50 states. Next up, the South. Previous: Northeast

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  Alabama: Chris Richards

  Hometown: Birmingham

  Clubs played for: Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim, Crystal Palace

  USMNT caps: 33

  Why he’s No. 1: Richards is proof of how finding the right club can change your career. Hyped by American fans when he joined Bayern Munich in 2018, Richards was too raw to make it in Bavaria at first. A middling loan to Hoffenheim followed, but he has since become a standout under Oliver Glasner for an excellent Crystal Palace team. These days, he's a top name on the teamsheet for the USMNT, too. Certainly, a bigger move is on the way for a real talent. 

  Runners-up:

  2. Tanner Tessmann (Birmingham): Coming into his own at Lyon, but still needs to show he can do it for a full season. 

  3. Aron Johannsson (Mobile): A dual-national who rather lost his way, Johannsson had all of the talent, but never quite put everything together. 

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  Arkansas: Thomas Roberts

  Hometown: Little Rock

  Clubs played for: FC Dallas, North Texas SX, Columbus Crew 2, Stabaek FC, North Carolina FC

  USMNT caps: 0

  Why he’s No. 1: Arkansas is home to any number of NFL and NBA stars. Soccer really isn't the state's calling card. Thomas Roberts, now of the USL's North Carolina FC, was a youth national, but is on his sixth club at the age of 24. 

  Runners-up:

  2. Parker Maher (Fort Smith): A brief USL spell but little else for the Missouri State talent. 

  3. Central Arkansas (Conway): OK, so not an individual player. But shout out to the Bears as the only Division 1 men's college program in the state.

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  Delaware: Mark McKenzie

  Hometown: Bear

  Clubs played for: Bethlehem Steel, Philadelphia Union, Genk, Toulouse

  USMNT caps: 22

  Why he’s No. 1: Where do you want to start? McKenzie is the epitome of an American homegrown centerback in the modern era. He starred for a number of club teams before moving swiftly through college, MLS and then into Europe. These days, he is a regular for Toulouse and a presumptive starter for the USMNT at the World Cup – assuming he stays fit. 

  Runners-up: 

  2. Anthony Fontana (Newark): A seasoned journeyman who contributed to a Supporters' Shield win for the Union and flirted with a European career.

  3. Rob Smith (Wilmington): One of the original MLS midfielders, Smith played for the Crew and also featured for the U.S. youth national teams.

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  Florida: Graham Zusi

  Hometown: Longwood

  Clubs played for: Central Florida Kraze, Sporting Kansas City

  USMNT caps: 55

  Why he’s No. 1: Now we're talking. Florida is a sporting hotbed in general, and it has made a fine contribution to soccer, too. Zusi enjoyed a wonderful MLS career, playing 355 times for Sporting KC, serving as both a winger and right back. His impact at the 2014 World Cup simply cannot be understated, as Zusi provided two assists for a solid USMNT. Seven All-Star appearances, two MLS best XIs, and one of the top assist providers in the league, Zusi had a legendary career. 

  Runners-up:

  2. Dax McCarty (Winter Park): Could have earned the top spot. McCarty was a fantastic MLS journeyman who slotted in wherever he played. A word, in particular, for his marking of Lionel Messi in Atlanta's win over Miami in the 2024 MLS playoffs.

  3. Aidan Morris (Fort Lauderdale): Give it a year or two, and Morris might be higher. He had slipped slightly since joining Middlesbrough, but remains a solid performer for the Championship club. The question is: what's next? 

Aston Villa are now dark horses in the race for an “amazing” striker, after recently opening talks over a deal, and there is a feeling he would be keen on the move.

Villa keen on new striker after Watkins' slow start

The new Premier League campaign is still at a very early stage, but it would be fair to say Ollie Watkins hasn’t exactly hit the ground running, having failed to score in his opening three games, most recently struggling against Crystal Palace.

The 29-year-old missed one big chance and had just 24 touches of the ball in the 3-0 home defeat against the Eagles, the second-lowest number of any Villa starter.

As such, Unai Emery may be tempted to play Evann Guessand in a central role against Everton on Saturday, while there have also been reports that the Villans could look to bring in a new centre-forward during the January transfer window.

Aston Villa plan move to sign "colossal" star who has £34m+ release clause

The Villans could look to capitalise in the January window.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Sep 8, 2025

Earlier this week, it emerged that Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta is a target for Emery’s side, and there has since been another update on their pursuit of the striker.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are now dark horses in the race for Mateta, who is thought to be excitied over the idea of a move to Villa Park, given the centre-forward’s ambitions of playing in Europe.

In fact, talks have already been opened with Palace intermediaries, with Villa trying to gauge whether it will be possible to get a deal done this January.

That said, it could be difficult to get the move over the line, given that Oliver Glasner’s side have little interest in sanctioning a departure, and they could demand upwards of £60m+ if the striker is tied down to a new deal.

"Amazing" Mateta has earned move to Europa League club

Palace will be disappointed not to be playing in the Europa League themselves this season, missing out due to issues surrounding multi-club ownership, but the 28-year-old has earned the opportunity to test himself in the competition.

Over the past two seasons, the former Mainz striker has been particularly impressive, maintaining a fantastic goal and assist record in the Premier League.

Glasner also clearly holds his first-choice centre-forward in high regard, saying last season: “With his two goals today, he is amazing in the box. He has the feeling that a number nine must have in the box. He makes so many runs where he doesn’t get the ball. You need to suffer as a striker because you make so many runs where you don’t get the ball. He gets the reward and it decides the game for us.”

Emery will be hoping the likes of Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott can make an impact going forward, but if the manager still feels a striker is required in January, Mateta could be a fantastic option.