The countdown is on for Saturday August 6 when Aston Villa visit Bournemouth in their new Premier League campaign.
Boss Steven Gerrard looks set to have a new-look side ready for the curtain raiser after being very active early on in the transfer window. Boubacar Kamara signed as a free transfer from Marseille just after the end of last season and has since been joined by Sevilla centre-back Diego Carlos, while Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen have made their loan moves permanent.
Gerrard is now keen to further add to his squad after selling Matt Targett to Newcastle United for £15m after his successful loan and there could be further out-goings among fringe players. Mirror.co.uk takes a look at the speculation today around the club and any transfer business.
Burnley stopper linked after Claret's relegation
Aston Villa have been told they will have to make a ‘sizeable offer’ to Burnley for centre-back Nathan Collins to nab the defender.
The 21-year-old started 18 games in his first season in the Premier League and impressed despite the club's relegation to the Championship. Villa, Leeds and Wolves are all said to be ‘monitoring’ the player’s situation this summer.
Lancashire live report that the player’s lengthy contract means that only a ‘sizeable offer’ from clubs would cause Burnley to consider cashing in this summer. The club paid a fee of £12.6 million last summer and would only sell for a major profit.
Collins did though say that he’s unsure what the summer holds for him in terms of a transfer away from Turf Moor. “Who knows? I don’t know myself,” he answered when asked.
Jose boost for Villa
Roma could be moving on from their interest in Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, according to reports.
The Italian giants have been linked with an interest in the Brazilian international for most of the summer. Jose Mourinho is a long-term admirer of the 24-year-old whose future looks uncertain due to him having just one year left on his deal at Villa Park.
Villa are believed to be demanding around £25million should they cash in on the player this summer. However, it now seems that Roma could be lining up an alternative with Italian outlet Il Tempo (via RomaPress ) claiming that former Chelsea loanee Saul is a possible alternative. The report says that Roma’s general manager Tiago Pinto has held talks with the player’s representatives over a possible move.
Saul spent last season on loan with Chelsea from Sevilla but played just 10 times in the Premier League in the 2021/22 season. He is likely to leave the Spanish club again this summer, either on loan or in a permanent deal. Mourinho has already signed former player Nemanja Matic on a free transfer.
Villa winger wanted in Turkey
Aston Villa winger Trezeguet is reportedly wanted by Turkish giants Trabzonspor with the club ‘hoping’ they can reach a deal for the player.
Trezeguet spent the second half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan with Istanbul Basaksehir, where he caught the eye with his performances. In 13 appearances for the club he scored six goals and provided a further four assists.
Those numbers have caused interest in the player from Turkey, with Trabzonspor now said to be showing their interest. The Daily Mail report says that Trezeguet is ‘wanted’ by the club who ‘hope’ they can come to an agreement with Villa.
