Villa eyeing surprise Watkins replacement?
Ollie Watkins could be nearing a move to Saudi Arabia as Al-Hilal hope to bring in the Aston Villa forward.
He did not feature for Villa during their woeful 4-0 defeat to Brighton on Sunday and Unai Emery may be considering keeping the striker after such a performance.
But, should he leave then Villa will need a replacement.
One of the names on the rumour list is Joshua Zirkzee who faces an uncertain future at Manchester United.
Zirkzee is well down the pecking order at Old Trafford and there is a willingness to let him leave – for the right price.
United would probably prefer a permanent deal with Juventus and Napoli alreaduy registering their interest in Zirkzee.
The likelihood though is that he goes out on loan with an option or obligation to buy. Would that tempt Villa to move for him?
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Will Castle24 August 2026 18:30
Virgil van Dijk gives backing to Dominik Szoboszlai as future Liverpool captain
Liverpool got a point in a 2-2 draw courtesy of Szoboszlai’s 99th-minute penalty – with the new vice-captain, rather than Isak, taking it, while the Sweden striker was quiet.
But Van Dijk felt the choruses from the Newcastle fans were not the reason, saying: “I wasn’t [wouldn’t be] affected by it if I was him. I don’t think he was affected by it. He tried to play his game. There were good moments and there were moments he could have done better, like all of us. I don’t think that impacted him.”
Richard Jolly24 August 2026 18:00
Pinnock set for Coventry switch
Coventry City have agreed a £6m deal to sign Brentford centre-back Ethan Pinnock, according to The Athletic.
The Jamaica international has been given permission to travel for a medical.
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Will Castle24 August 2026 17:40
Manchester United close to Carlos Baleba announcement
After a dire opening game against Hull City, which they lost 2-0, Manchester United are in need of a pick me up.
They may get one in the coming days with the announcement of Carlos Baleba as a new midfielder.
The Red Devils agreed a £70m deal (£65m + £5m add ons) with Brighton to sign the midfielder who underwent a medical with United at the weekend.
There have been no updates since so we can assume Baleba passed the tests and is closing in on a switch to Old Trafford.
Baleba has long been of interest to United and he will join Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans as part of Michael Carrick’s midfield rebuild.
Carlos Baleba could finally be on the move to Old Trafford (Cody Froggatt/PA) (PA Archive)
Will Castle24 August 2026 17:20
Liverpool’s alarming weakness is clear and signing a new winger won’t solve it
The Reds drew 2-2 at Newcastle on Sunday, but Andoni Iraola is struggling for midfield balance, with Ryan Gravenberch’s role uncertain after struggling at St James’ Park, notes Richard Jolly.
Mike Jones24 August 2026 17:00
Man Utd target Alejandro Balde wants to fight for Barcelona place
Manchester United target Alejandro Balde wants to remain at Barcelona this summer, according to Mundo Deportivo in Spain.
Signing a left back remains a priority for United this summer, following the 2-0 opening day defeat at newly promoted Hull and there has even been contact between the clubs.
Mike Jones24 August 2026 16:40
Tottenham put midfielder Pape Matar Sarr up for sale?
Tottenham will listen to offers for midfielder Pape Matar Sarr before the deadline, according to transfer journalist Sacha Tavolieri.
Sarr, who was not involved in the opening day defeat to Brentford due to a hamstring injury, is the subject of interest from Galatasaray.
Tottenham have spent heavily on upgrading their midfield this summer with £180m spent on Sandro Tonali and Matheus Fernandes alone.
Mike Jones24 August 2026 16:20
The three key positions Man United need to upgrade to win Premier League
The potential arrival of Carlos Baleba means Michael Carrick’s midfield rebuild might be complete, but there are glaring gaps elsewhere in the squad as the new season continues.
Chris Wilson24 August 2026 16:00
Gary Neville blasts Wirtz and Isak after Newcastle draw
“He [Florian Wirtz] needs to sort himself out. Enough’s enough now, we’ve talked about him enough. He’s young and he’s come to a different country – and I’m all for willing him on,” Gary Neville stated on the Gary Neville Podcast.
He went on to speak about both Wirtz and Alexander Isak adding: “The big thing for Liverpool is they’ve got this quarter-of-a-billion-pound front two, Isak and Wirtz and bloody hell, we’ve been kind to those two.
“They’re going to have to start playing sooner or later or else, to be fair, they’re going to get quite a lot of criticism. I think they are going to have to start delivering.
“They have both had a bit of a free ride. Obviously Isak was injured last season but Arne Slot loses his job, and Wirtz has played like that, so let’s be clear, this has got me to start some real focus now.”
Mike Jones24 August 2026 15:40
Manchester City are being linked with Palmerias winger Allan and his current manager, Abel Ferreira, has spoken about the rumours.
“These teams want a player like Allan because 90% of wingers don’t do what he does: attack and defend. They’re going to have to pay,” he said.
“I know how Man City plays. At Chelsea, there’s a player named Pedro Neto: if they want to go after him, they’re going to have to pay €100M. Top teams don’t buy half a player, they buy players who attack and defend. When one comes along who can track back, play right-back, slot into a back three out wide and drift inside for rotations, everyone wants that kind of player.
“But you have to educate them, develop them and, if necessary, lose a few games along the way…”
Mike Jones24 August 2026 15:20