It’s his first transfer window at Aston Villa and Unai Emery is getting the band back together, with Mattéo Guendouzi linked with a move from Marseille to the West Midlands before the end of the month. What next? A sensational swoop for Lucas Torreira? A big-money move for Alexandre Lacazette? Mesut Özil on the bench looking miserable? Someone get Sven Mislintat on the blower, things are about to get interesting.
Marseille are seemingly close to agreeing a deal for Ivan Ilic, the Hellas Verona midfielder, but the tittle-tattle in France suggests his arrival is mere coincidence as opposed to an attempt to fill an imminent Guendouzi-shaped hole in the squad. Meanwhile, PSG are keen on signing Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense, but will face stiff competition from Manchester United. The Brazilian teenager won’t come cheap, mind, as he has a reported £53m release clause. Could that scare off the notoriously thrifty PSG?
Speaking of Les Parisiens, they could lose Keylor Navas to one of Nottingham Forest, Leicester or Bournemouth. Forest appear to be in the strongest position to sign the veteran Costa Rica goalkeeper. Having lost Dean Henderson to injury, Steve Cooper has said signing a keeper “is certainly a discussion point”. Navas fancies a move to the Premier League, apparently, but PSG aren’t sure about letting go of their second-choice keeper midway through the season.
As they struggle to drag themselves out of the relegation zone, Everton have turned to Arnaut Danjuma. Bournemouth had hoped they would be able to lure the Villarreal winger back to the south coast, but he looks set to move to Goodison Park on loan until the end of the season. With the club in desperate need of a goalscorer, they could also move for Iliman Ndiaye. The Sheffield United forward has scored 10 goals in the Championship this term, but seems happy to remain at Bramall Lane until the summer.
Another option is Hakim Ziyech, who has failed to impress under Graham Potter at Chelsea. Everton face competition from Roma, however, with José Mourinho also on the hunt for reinforcements. According to Sky Italia, Roma have already made contact with Ziyech’s agent. They may end up needing a replacement for Nicolò Zaniolo, who continues to be linked with Tottenham even if Mourinho has claimed he may stay at the Stadio Olimpico.
Spurs have a secret weapon, however: Bryan Gil, who they could offer to Roma in part-exchange. If that doesn’t work, they can at least console themselves with the news that Harry Kane is open to signing a new contract. That’ll shut down the talk of a move to Old Trafford this summer. Won’t it? Won’t it?!
