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Aston Villa chief reacts after Tottenham bid for £30m

Submitted by daniel on Fri, 16/08/2024 - 19:30

Monchi, Aston Villa’s President of Football Operations, has revealed the club’s stance on Jacob Ramsey.

Monchi has lifted the lid on Villa’s transfer strategy and spoken openly about speculation surrounding Ramsey’s future at the club.

Tottenham Hotspur failed with a bid to sign Ramsey earlier in the transfer window, worth £20 million plus Giovani Lo Celso as per our sister publication, Express & Star.

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Unai Emery is determined to keep hold of the 23-year-old academy product as he believes the best is yet to come. Monchi, in a recent interview with The Telegraph, confirmed just that.

“If we wanted to sell Jacob Ramsey, we would have sold him already because we had different offers from different clubs. But Unai has big confidence in him,” Monchi said.

“I think that Jacob can continue to improve his level. Last season was difficult for him because of three injuries, but Unai thinks that with Jacob, Aston Villa is the best thing — he’s convinced 100 per cent that Jacob’s level will increase this season,” Monchi continued.

Ramsey, unable to gain consistent fitness, played only 1,060 minutes and scored just one goal across all competitions last campaign. The midfielder contributed an impressive six goals and seven assists in 35 Premier League games the season before that, though, and has a £30 million market value as per Transfermarkt.

Competition for places in Emery’s lineup is fierce but Ramsey has the opportunity to propel his Villa career this season. With Champions League football to busy the fixture schedule, minutes will be shared with the likes of Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Buendia, Samuel Iling Junior and Jaden Philogene.

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Spurs star set for move to League One rival despite Birmingham City transfer links

Submitted by daniel on Thu, 15/08/2024 - 10:30

Leyton Orient are set to sign Jamie Donley on loan from Spurs, despite links to Birmingham City and the Championship this summer.

According to Football.London, the young forward will sign a new contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and then will head across the capital to join the O's. Donley could be part of a double swoop with the League One outfit also considering a move for goalkeeper Josh Keeley.

In July, Football.London reported that Donley was of interest to Birmingham City, Luton Town, and Oxford United. The Hatters and the U's were 'extremely' keen whilst Birmingham were also said to have been keeping tabs on him.

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Despite interest from teams in the Championship and League One, Football.London say that Orient are felt to be the best fit for Donley's development as he will be given a consistent run of matches to continue his development. His new contract with Spurs will replace his current deal which expires in 2027.

Blues boss Chris Davies would have known exactly what kind of player Donley was, as he was an assistant coach to Ange Postecoglou, and would have worked with him in training. Davies has yet to do any business with his former club with Birmingham instead focusing on permanent signings, however the arrival of Alfons Sampsted from FC Twente was confirmed this week.

At under-21's level, Donley contributed to 19 goals in 20 Premier League 2 appearances, and his performances did not go amiss with the senior staff as he was able to force his way in to the first-team picture, making three appearances for the seniors last term.

He has featured in Spurs' pre-season preparations for the upcoming campaign, and that has been the reason for the delay over his future, with the Premier League starting one week later than Football League clubs. Donley is primarily a second striker or an attacking midfielder, but was trusted to play left-back during Spurs' tour of Japan and South Korea.

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With Donley and Davies having worked together at Spurs, the two are now likely to be on opposite sides and will face off against each other next week. Birmingham travel to Brisbane Road to face Orient on Saturday, August 24, and Davies will be well placed to work out a plan of dealing with the Northern Ireland youngster.

News of Donley’s proposed move to Orient is the second bit of bad news for Birmingham in the last 24 hours after Fulham boss Marco Silva revealed that they would be keeping Jay Stansfield at Craven Cottage. Stansfield was strongly linked with a return to St Andrew's, but right now the only way he will be returning is as an opposition player, as Birmingham have drawn the West London outfit at home in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

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Spurs star 'has an offer' from Aston Villa after Postecoglou decision

Submitted by daniel on Tue, 13/08/2024 - 08:52

Aston Villa have reportedly made an approach to sign a Tottenham Hotspur midfielder.

The Villans have made an offer to sign transfer-listed Spurs man Giovani Lo Celso, according to a recent report in Argentina.

Fabrizio Romano has linked Villa with a move for the midfielder throughout the summer window and now a fresh claim has been made, suggesting a transfer is closer than first thought.

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Argentine journalist Gaston Edul reports Lo Celso already has a proposal on the table from Villa, while Spanish La Liga side Real Betis have also sent an offer. Tottenham are said to be only willing to let Lo Celso leave on a permanent deal as the midfielder isn’t in Ange Postecoglou’s plans.

With under 12 months left on his contract at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Lo Celso could be available for a cut-price fee. It’s the last time Spurs can gain a decent transfer fee for the 28-year-old, who joined Spurs for £27.2 million in 2020.

Able to play in a variety of midfield roles, Lo Celso has notched a respectable 10 goals eight assists in 108 games for Tottenham. Much more was expected, though, as he’s been a regular starter for Argentina for several years.

Even two years on loan at Villarreal didn’t quite work out as he failed to play more than 1,200 league minutes during either season. Last term back at Spurs was a failure too as he rarely played under Postecoglou, featuring only as a utility substitute.

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Betis could theoretically have the upper hand as they are a former club of Lo Celso’s, but Villa, seeking to add midfield depth, are in the picture. Unai Emery has worked twice with Lo Celso before, too, so there’s already an established relationship.

Emery was the manager to first bring Lo Celso to Europe, signing him for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 from Argentine outfit Rosario Central. The pair then reunited more recently at Villarreal, enjoying a Europa League win together despite Lo Celso’s reduced minutes.

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Bournemouth interested in Aston Villa star amid £60m Spurs agreement

Submitted by daniel on Fri, 09/08/2024 - 15:10

AFC Bournemouth hold an interest in Aston Villa striker Cameron Archer as Dominic Solanke closes in on a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Cherries remain keen on signing Archer, six weeks after Birmingham World exclusively revealed their interest in the 22-year-old.

Solanke’s imminent departure to Tottenham Hotspur for around £60 million - as per The Athletic - leaves a huge void in the centre-forward position at Vitality Stadium. Archer is by no means a like-for-like replacement given his relative lack of Premier League experience, but he’s a promising talent.

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Villa sold Archer to Sheffield United last summer for £18.5 million but were obliged to re-sign the forward following the Blades’ relegation to the Championship. It’s understood the fee spent to regain Archer’s services was significantly lower than what he was originally let go for.

The striker could depart once again, however, as Birmingham World understands Bournemouth are weighing up an approach. Andoni Iraola’s side have been monitoring Archer’s progress and are impressed by what they’ve seen.

This is despite the fact Archer failed to meet the levels Sheffield United expected of him last season, as he scored just four goals in 30 Premier League appearances. There’s definitely a talented player in there, though, as he has scored six times in 11 games for England Under-21s.

Archer has also scored four times in 14 competitive matches for Villa, and he performed excellently in the recent 3-2 pre-season victory over Athletic Bilbao. The academy product scored a terrific goal as he dribbled around 40 yards before rounding the goalkeeper and netting from a tight angle.

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Wolves submit bid to sign €4m Spurs target with help from Jorge Mendes

Submitted by daniel on Fri, 09/08/2024 - 11:31

Wolverhampton Wanderers have sent several bids to sign a defender reportedly wanted by Tottenham Hotspur.

The Old Gold are in advanced talks with FC Nantes over the potential signing of wonderkid defensive midfielder Bastien Meupiyou, according to a report in France.

The 18-year-old has gained the attention of Premier League clubs following an impressive rise through the Nantes youth academy and up into the first team. Although Meupiyou has only made one senior appearance to date, the teenager is one of Nantes’ most prized young assets.

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Ouest France claims Wolves, who have been keeping tabs on Meupiyou, have already sent two bids to sign him, including one worth around €4 million (£3.4 million). Nantes are said to be unimpressed by the amounts offered but could sell if Wanderers cough up more cash.

It’s also stated that Wolves’ chances are bolstered by the fact Meupiyou’s representative is Jorge Mendes, who has a strong relationship with the club’s hierarchy. The likes of Ruben Neves, Diogo Jota, Matheus Nunes and Pedro Neto have joined in the past through the help of the Portuguese super agent.

According to L’Equipe, Tottenham Hotspur also hold an interest in Meupiyou. Ange Postecoglou’s side are hoping they can acquire the France Under-18 international’s services for a cut-price fee as his Nantes contract expires next June.

Meupiyou featured just once for Nantes last season as they finished 14th in Ligue 1. That came against Marseille on September 1 - a match that also marked the France under-18 international’s debut. However, the youngster’s maiden senior outing lasted just nine minutes as he was shown a straight red card. Meupiyou also missed a large chunk of the previous campaign with a knee injury.

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Fabrizio Romano confirms talks underway for Aston Villa, Spurs target

Submitted by daniel on Tue, 30/07/2024 - 09:29

Negotiations have begun with Chelsea for a €40m Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur target.

Atletico Madrid have opened talks to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, according to a new and reputable report.

The England international has been heavily linked with Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur this summer but Atletico appear to have moved ahead in the race.

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Transfer news specialist Fabrizio Romano reports negotiations are underway between Chelsea and Atletico for a package worth around €40 million (£33.7 million) including add-ons. Gallagher is at the top of Atletico’s shortlist and the deal is said to be “getting closer” as the hours go on.

Villa and Tottenham have been patient with their respective pursuits of Gallagher, first waiting for the player to return from his duties at UEFA EURO 2024. Since then, interest seemed to have cooled due to Chelsea’s extortionate £50 million asking price, but the recent figures quoted for Atletico are far more reasonable.

Unai Emery and Ange Postecoglou must now decide if they want to attempt a hijack, either matching or exceeding Atletico’s offer. It appears to be a race against time, so the trigger would need to be pulled sharpishly.

Gallagher only has 12 months left on his current deal and has been considered ‘for sale’ as Chelsea look to gain funds. Any money earned from a move away would be pure profit as far as the Premier League’s regulations are concerned as Gallagher is an academy graduate.

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The 24-year-old, formerly a loanee at Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City, played 92 per cent of the minutes available to him in the Premier League last season. Five goals and seven assists only scratched the surface as Gallagher impressed in an array of midfield roles.

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Wolves star makes surprise transfer U-turn as Tottenham persist for £60m winger

Submitted by daniel on Mon, 29/07/2024 - 13:57

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A Wolves star has made a shock transfer decision while Tottenham Hotspur persist with interest in a winger.

Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Chiquinho has revealed a changed stance regarding his future, displaying a determination to stay and fight for a place under Gary O’Neil.

The 24-year-old spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Famalicao, despite initially joining Stoke City. He notched up five goals and two assists in 27 games last term in the Portuguese top-flight, following a strange stay at Stoke during which he accumulated just 120 minutes.

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Chiquinho, who joined from Estoril Praia in January 2022 for a fee of around £3 million, has made just nine senior appearances for Wolves. It looked as if his time was up at Molineux but his impressive form in Liga Portugal has revived his chances – and now he believes he could break into the Wanderers lineup.

“I want to help the team,” Chiquinho told our sister publication, Express & Star. “This team and the gaffer will help me to improve my football, so if the gaffer wants me here I will be really happy here and to help my teammates.”

A renewed desire to make his Wolves stay a success could prove pivotal as O’Neil approaches a final decision on Chiquinho. Sporting Lisbon are admirers and prepared to spend several million, so an exit could still theoretically be an option.

Tottenham still eyeing £60m Wolves swoop

In other transfer news, Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur remain keen on signing Wolves winger Pedro Neto this summer. Transfer news journalist Fabrizio Romano has unveiled the Old Gold’s number seven - available for £60 million - is one of two priority targets as it stands.

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“Tottenham are exploring the market and are exploring several possibilities at the moment. Still, no name is imminent, but there is interest in several players, like Eze at Crystal Palace and Pedro Neto at Wolves, who has many admirers in the Premier League,” Romano told GiveMeSport.

Neto was one of Wolves’ best players in 2023/24, even despite not featuring for much of the campaign. The 24-year-old scored two goals and made an impressive nine assists in 20 Premier League appearances. He particularly impressed in the 4-3 home defeat to Manchester United in February as he netted a goal and took home the man of the match award.

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Wolves star makes surprise transfer U-turn as Tottenham persist for £60m winger

Submitted by daniel on Mon, 29/07/2024 - 13:57

A Wolves star has made a shock transfer decision while Tottenham Hotspur persist with interest in a winger.

Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Chiquinho has revealed a changed stance regarding his future, displaying a determination to stay and fight for a place under Gary O’Neil.

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Tottenham still eyeing £60m Wolves swoop

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Aston Villa 'hoping' to sell midfielder as Tottenham Hotspur ace emerges on radar

Submitted by daniel on Sun, 21/07/2024 - 16:00

Latest Aston Villa transfer news and rumours as they prepare for the new Premier League season

Aston Villa are busy preparing for the start of the new Premier League season. They also have Champions League football to look forward to.

Promising winger Jaden Philogene has recently secured a return to Villa Park from Hull City. Here is a look at some of the latest news and rumours regarding the club…

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Midfielder latest

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Aston Villa are ‘hoping’ to sell Leander Dendoncker this summer, as detailed in a report by BirminghamLive. They are keen to offload the Belgium international, who has 29 caps under his belt so far in his career, in this window.

Cutting ties with the defensive midfielder would help free up space and funds in their ranks to bring in other reinforcements. At the age of 29, he still has a good few years left to be a useful asset for another team.

Dendoncker moved to his current club in 2022 from rivals Wolves and has since made 36 appearances in all competitions.

He was loaned out to Napoli for the second-half of last term but they decided not to sign him on a permanent basis.

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Winger linked

Aston Villa are reportedly keen on Tottenham Hotspur winger Dejan Kulusevski, according to FootballTransfers.

The Sweden international has been a regular for Spurs over recent years but is now being linked with a surprise switch.

He moved to England in 2021 on an initial loan deal from Juventus before it was made permanent.

Kulusevski, who is 24-years-old, has since scored 15 goals in 96 matches.

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He seems to enjoy working under current manager Ange Postecoglou though and said last year: “Postecoglou, excellent manager. He speaks about life stories, not just football.

“It was clear already in pre-season, training sessions under Ange are funny and we work a lot with the ball, we press a lot. But also, we learn from him. We’re really enjoying.”

Aston Villa could see him as someone to add more quality in attacking areas. However, following Philogene’s arrival, it remains to be seen if they need another player in that area, as they continue their preparations for the start of the new season.

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Tottenham Hotspur turn transfer attention to Aston Villa after Chelsea star snub

Submitted by daniel on Fri, 19/07/2024 - 21:00

Latest Aston Villa transfer news and rumours ahead of the new Premier League season

Aston Villa are busy preparing for the start of the new Premier League season. Unai Emery’s side also have Champions League football to look forward to.

They have the chance to bring in more players over the coming weeks. Here is a look at some of the latest stories coming out of the club…

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Gallagher to Madrid

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Journalist Matt Law has said Aston Villa target Conor Gallagher has been speaking to Atletico Madrid all summer. A switch to Spain now seems a likely move for the midfielder.

Villa have considered a swoop for the England ace in this window but have opted for Amadou Onana from Everton in his position instead.

Law has said on the London Is Blue podcast: “Chelsea & Atletico have been speaking all summer. Samu Omorodion is Chelsea’s top centre forward target. A deal may happen if Chelsea can bring down Atletico’s price for Samu & Gallagher goes to Atletico in a separate deal.”

“Chelsea really like this lad [Samu Omorodion], he ticks a lot of boxes for them. If there could be a deal done there, with [Conor] Gallagher going to the other way, then it’s possible.”

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Gallagher, who is 24-years-old, has risen up through the academy ranks at Chelsea.

He has made 95 appearances for their first-team so far in his career and also had loan spells away from the Blues at Charlton Athletic, Swansea City, West Brom and Crystal Palace to boost his development.

The Londoner was part of the England squad at Euro 2024 and helped the Three Lions reach the final.

Spurs retain interest

As per Sky Sports, Tottenham Hotspur retain an interest in Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey. Ange Postecoglou’s side could use Giovani Lo Celso as part of a swap deal in an attempt to lure the player down to London.

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Emery managed Lo Celso at both PSG and Villarreal so he is someone who he knows well already.

Philogene message

Aston Villa have brought back Jaden Philogene from Hull City. The winger has returned to the Midlands after less than 12 months in East Yorkshire.

He has posted this message to the Tigers on Instagram: “I want to thank everyone at Hull City for the past year! A place where i could be comfortable enough to be me myself and show everyone what I can do and this wouldn’t have been possible without all of the support from the players, staff and importantly the fans! I’ll never forget the memories I’ve made at the MKM! I wish Hull City all the best this season and I’m sure they will be at the top again.”

The England youth international scored 12 goals last term for Hull as they narrowly missed out on the play-offs. They have since parted company with manager Liam Rosenior and have replaced him with ex-Hamburg man Tim Walter.

Prior to his move to the MKM Stadium, he played six times for Villa and also had loan spells away at Stoke City and Cardiff City to get some experience.

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