Key Takeaways
- Manchester City are weighing up a summer bid for Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
- Aston Villa have set their sights on Manchester City keeper James Trafford if Emiliano Martinez leaves.
- Manchester United are tracking Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven and Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.
Manchester City could shake up the Premier League by launching a move for 25-year-old Chelsea playmaker Enzo Fernandez when the window re-opens, according to reports.
Across the Midlands, Aston Villa are drawing up back-up plans between the posts. If Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez, 33, departs, Villa want 23-year-old England shot-stopper James Trafford, currently on City’s books.
Manchester United’s radar is also busy. Erik ten Hag’s scouts have watched Tottenham’s Dutch centre-back Micky van de Ven, 25, and Brighton’s Cameroon engine-room prospect Carlos Baleba, 22.
Rafael Leão is another name on several wish-lists. AC Milan’s Portugal flyer, valued near £60 million, has Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid monitoring his situation.
City are favourites to land Nottingham Forest’s 23-year-old England midfielder Elliot Anderson, fending off Manchester United and Arsenal in the race.
Jadon Sancho, on loan at Aston Villa from United, has reportedly agreed to head back to Borussia Dortmund, with negotiations already under way.
Elsewhere, RB Leipzig hope to keep teenage Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande for another season despite talks with Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
Brighton’s Brazilian centre-back Igor Julio, 28, could return to his homeland after a loan spell at West Ham, with Cruzeiro exploring a deal.
Spanish side Athletic Club are close to naming former Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic as Ernesto Valverde’s successor.
Championship trio Wolves, Bournemouth and Sunderland are chasing QPR and Jamaica striker Rumarn Burrell, 25.
Brentford have joined the hunt for Dynamo Kyiv’s 20-year-old Ukraine forward Matviy Ponomarenko, eyeing him as a possible replacement for Igor Thiago, who is wanted by Chelsea and Tottenham.
Nottingham Forest will return with a fresh offer for Celtic’s 22-year-old Belgian midfielder Arne Engels after a £25 million bid was knocked back in February.
Finally, Tottenham are speaking with ex-Borussia Dortmund chief Sebastian Kehl, 46, about a role as co-sporting director.