Aston Villa line up Emiliano Martinez replacement as Manchester United speculation intensifies, Morgan Gibbs

Aston Villa line up Emiliano Martinez replacement as Manchester United speculation intensifies, Morgan Gibbs-White set for Spurs - Paper Round

Updated 11/07/2025 at 08:57 GMT+1

Manchester United are still linked with Emiliano Martinez as Aston Villa bring in a potential replacement, Tottenham are closing in on Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Marco Asensio is wanted by Fenerbahce, and Arsenal are set to sign striker Olivia Smith from Liverpool ahead of the upcoming WSL season.

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Villa line up Martinez replacement

Manchester United target Emiliano Martinez could move on in the summer, according to the Mirror.

Marco Bizot has been lined up by Aston Villa, suggesting that they are expecting Martinez to leave.

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The paper writes: "Aston Villa are signing Dutch keeper Marco Bizot - and that could signal an exit for Emiliano Martinez. Bizot, 34, is joining from Brest and is a full Holland international who is keen to play in the Premier League and ready for a new challenge.

"Villa boss Unai Emery is looking for a new keeper with uncertainty over Argentina keeper Martinez’s long-term future. The Argentine's deputy last season, Robin Olsen was also moved on with his release confirmed following the expiry of his contract.

"A number of Villa's stars have been linked with potential exits after agonisingly missing out on the Champions League on the final day of the season. Ollie Watkins is a target for Manchester United, with the England international valued at £60 million by his current employers."

Spurs close in on Gibbs-White

Tottenham Hotspur are set to land Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, according to The Sun.

The 25-year-old has been persuaded to move to north London by manager Thomas Frank.

The paper reports: "Spurs are on the brink of landing England midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White after triggering his secret £60m release clause.

"New Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is understood to have sold his vision to Gibbs-White, 25, in the past few days.

"And the stunning swoop for the Three Lions star has left Nottingham Forest powerless to resist the move for one of their star assets.

"It is another statement of intent by Tottenham and Frank, following on from the £55m move for West Ham’s Ghanaian powerhouse Mohammed Kudus and the bid for Brentford goal poacher Yoanne Wissa."

Asensio nears PSG exit

Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Marco Asensio is nearing a move to Fenerbahce after ending his Aston Villa loan spell.

The Athletic reports that the 29-year-old midfielder is also a target of Saudi Pro League sides.

The paper writes: "Marco Asensio is progressing in talks over a permanent move from Paris Saint-Germain to Fenerbahce.

"A full agreement is yet to be reached but there is confidence Fenerbahce will conclude a deal.

"The Spanish midfielder, 29, wants to play for his country at next summer’s World Cup, and believes a transfer to the Turkish club, who will compete in next season’s Champions League, will give him the best chance of forcing his way into the European Championship holders’ squad.

"An agreement is not yet signed, but Fenerbahce are understood to be offering Asensio a competitive salary, in line with proposals he received from clubs in Saudi Arabia this summer, after they agreed a package with PSG."

Arsenal set to sign Smith

Arsenal are close to making a record-breaking deal by signing Olivia Smith for at least £1 million.

The Liverpool forward is edging closer to a move to north London, the Evening Standard says.

The paper explains: "Arsenal are set to make history by completing the first seven-figure transfer in the history of women’s football.

"The Gunners have agreed a fee with Liverpool for forward Olivia Smith and it is understood to be worth £1 million.

"The deal is a world-record fee and exceeds what Chelsea paid San Diego Wave to sign USA defender Naomi Girma in January, which was believed to be around £900,000.

"The signing of Smith is a coup for Arsenal and a statement of intent after they won the Women’s Champions League in May."

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