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The latest transfer news as Aston Villa, Tottenham and Chelsea go shopping at Manchester United.

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Aston Villa are reportedly stepping up their interest in Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho as Unai Emery seeks to sign an alternative to Marcus Rashford.

One of the Villans’ main priorities this summer - other than sanctioning outgoing business to comply with financial rules - is to sign a new left winger as Rashford won’t be joining permanently. Villa had the option to buy Rashford for £40 million at the end of his loan but the collective decision was made to not activate the clause; Rashford’s wage demands were too significant and the forward hammered home a desire to play in the Champions League.

Several players have been linked with a move to Villa Park to fill the void left by Rashford. Jacob Ramsey is a superb talent in his own right but Emery wants someone who can play a little further forward and drift inside with pace and directness; Ramsey is more of a playmaker-type.

Jesus Rodriguez was a player of great interest but the Spaniard left Real Betis to join Serie A side Como instead. The likes of Ferran Torres and Jason Sancho have been mentioned as alternatives, too, but there’s been no movement as of yet.

Aston Villa linked with shock move for Man United star

Villa could soon ramp up their efforts to land a new winger, as the Daily Mail reports Villa are one of three Premier League clubs weighing up a swoop for wantaway Man Utd star Garnacho. The Villans’ interest has been widely reported but this is a step further as the club are now being tipped to potentially proceed with an official approach.

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are named as the other two English top-tier clubs hovering and both are also considering making an enquiry to Man Utd. Garnacho has been made to train away from the United first team upon the return to Carrington, along with Rashford, who has long fallen out with manager Ruben Amorim. In terms of a potential fee, a recent report from TNT Sports suggests £40 million could be enough.

How would Garnacho fit in at Villa?

Garnacho, who famously took home the 2024 FIFA Puskas Award for his outrageous bicycle kick against Everton, could be a genius signing for Villa — as long as he doesn’t get greedy with his wage demands.

The Argentina international, who only turned 21 earlier this month, is quick, agile, skilful and direct. He may have a little work to do on his decision-making in the final third as he can sometimes get caught in two minds, but he’s proven his capability as a clinical finisher when presented with opportunities.

One of Emery’s biggest strengths is helping nurture players who have big potential but have yet to reach it. The Spaniard has done wonders with the likes of Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers, while Jhon Duran was a huge success story in a short space of time before his big-money move to Al-Nassr.

Despite enduring a very disappointing campaign with United, Garnacho still managed to score six goals in 36 Premier League appearances, assisting a further two. The Argentine also did well on the way to the Europa League final, playing 15 times, scoring one goal and providing four assists.

Villa could not only provide a step up in quality but also a more comfortable environment for Garnacho. There may be some concerns over player attitude but Emery rarely minds that, with a player’s attributes the main factor considered due to his capability to change attitudes. Would you like to see Garnacho join Villa? Let us know in the comments section.

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How Ryan Mason’s new-look team could line up in the Championship

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After more than seven years of learning his trade as a coach, former Tottenham Hotspur and Hull City midfielder Ryan Mason will step into the world of management for the first time with West Bromwich Albion.The 33-year-old will be the youngest manager in the Championship next season and is nearly half the age of the club’s last permanent head coach Tony Mowbray, who was dismissed in April after his side’s play-off dreams were dashed after a poor string of results.

Mason in his first venture into management will be immediately tasked with trying to get the Baggies back into the Premier League for the first time since 2020/21 when the club were relegated with Sam Allardyce taking the reins for the final months of that season. The one-time England international has had the chance to learn from some of the greatest minds in the game, including Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and most recently Ange Postecoglou where he helped the Aussie finally end Spurs’ long-trophy drought.

Now he will hope to put his teaching into practise at the Hawthrons, and in order to achieve his dream of promotion at the first time of asking, he’ll be more than aware of the need for signings. But how are West Brom likely to line-up next season under the guidance of the former Doncaster Rovers loanee, and what signings are the club likely to make? Here based on the latest rumours we take a look at what the line-up could look like at the Hawthorns next term.

Goalkeeper and defence

West Brom sold Alex Palmer to Ipswich Town in the dying moments of the January transfer window, leading to a late scramble which saw Josh Griffiths get recalled from his loan at Bristol Rovers.The 23-year-old played six times as he shared duties with Joe Wildsmith but it’s suspected the Baggies could get a more experienced name.

As of yet, there’s not been any concrete links of a goalkeeper signing at the Hawthorns but a feasible target could well be Preston’s Freddie Woodman, who is set to become a free agent. The Newcastle academy graduate, 28, has six seasons of Championship experience, won the Under-17 World Cup with England, and won the Championship Golden Glove in 2020/21.

At right-back, West Brom are likely to stick with defensive stalwart Darnell Furlong, who in October signed a contract extension until 2027. He racked up 42 league appearances last term and has experienced promotion with West Brom in the past. In central defence, Kyle Bartley remains an experienced and trustworthy option at 34 as he heads into his eighth season at the heart of defence. He’ll likely play alongside Torbjørn Heggem, who was a constant figure for most of the campaign.

At left-back, Nottingham Forest ace Harry Toffolo is out of contract and has been mooted by EFL analysis as a solid target to provide experience to the back four. He made scored six and assisted seven for Huddersfield in 2021/22 before making the move to Nottingham Forest.

A new-look midfield and attack

Former Leeds United ace Alex Mowatt is likely to once again be utilised at the heart of midfield. The tough-tackling midfielder scored seven and chipped in with two assists and was an ever-present for most of the campaign last term. He’ll likely play alongside Jayson Molumbu in a familiar midfield pairing.

Ahead of the duo, Ryan Mason could look to use his Tottenham connections to his advantage to strike a loan move for talented youngster Jamie Donley. He enjoyed an excellent loan spell with Leyton Orient where he scored 10 and registered eight assists in League One and looks more than ready to make the jump up to Championship level.

Meanwhile, on the left hand side, Mason could also look to acquire another Spurs youngster in Mikey Moore. The 17-year-old was compared to Neymar by James Maddison after a dazzling display in the Europa League and could benefit hugely from a loan spell at Championship level, with Tom Fellows likely to depart to a Premier League side.

On the right wing, West Brom could look to try and sign in-demand Peterborough ace Kwame Poku ahead of rivals Birmingham City and Old Firm duo Celtic and Rangers. He scored 12 and assisted eight in League One during a hugely impressive campaign for the Posh. Leading the line once he returns to fitness is likely to be top scorer Josh Maja. The ex-Sunderland man has proven himself to be one of the best in the division when fit and firing.

Full West Brom line-up: Woodman, Furlong, Bartley, Haggem, Toffolo, Mowatt, Mulumbu, Donley, Moore, Poku, Maja.

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Birmingham City have their eyes on a highly-rated teenage prospect with Europa League experience

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Birmingham City have expressed an interest in signing a 17-year-old Premier League forward that has recently been compared to Neymar by one of his teammates.

Mikey Moore, who signed a three year contract extension in August last year, has so far racked up 21 first team appearances for Tottenham, scoring once and providing two assists, while forming part of the squad which ended the club’s long 17-year trophy drought with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final.

The teenage sensation featured regularly in the group stage for the Lillywhites in Europe but was unable to make it onto the pitch for any of the knockout stage matches. He was, however, used sporadically by Ange Postecoglou in the Premier League in the month leading up to the Australian’s departure. Now, Moore is thought to be seeking regular first team football and a loan move to the Championship could be the perfect step in his development.

Birmingham City and West Brom battle for Mikey Moore’s signature

According to Football Insider, West Midlands rivals Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion have both registered an interest in taking Mikey Moore on a season-long loan next season. The two sides are both expected to compete in the upper echelons of the Championship table next term as they look to win promotion to the Premier League.

Moore is a familiar face to Chris Davies, who worked as senior assistant coach to Ange Postecoglou during his debut season at Tottenham Hotspur. He made two substitute appearances against Sheffield United and Man City in the final two matches of the season while Davies was still a part of the coaching team in North London.

Meanwhile, new West Brom boss Ryan Mason, also knows Moore well from his time as assistant coach at Tottenham Hotspur. Mason was a part of the coaching staff at Spurs for seven years and worked with the youth team before stepping up to a more senior coaching position under Antonio Conte in 2021. Moore is a regular for England’s Under-19 squad and is likely to break into the Under-21 team in the next 12 months as he continues his upwards trajectory.

Why Birmingham City and West Brom are keen to sign Mikey Moore

Mikey Moore is a rising star that is tipped to have a big future at Tottenham Hotspur. He scored 19 and assisted 13 in 24 matches at Under-18 level and boasted a record of two goals and two assists in five matches at Under-21 level before being fast-tracked into the senior team.

Moore is predominantly viewed as a left-winger but has proven he can also play on the right side on occasion. He’s been mainly limited to substitute outings at Tottenham but has already shown glimpses of him immense potential which have earned plaudits from fans and players alike.

“I thought we had Neymar on the left wing! He is fearless, [he has] that young, fearless mentality,” said James Maddison after a 1-0 home win over AZ Alkmaar. “He’s a brilliant lad, he has bags of ability. I will hopefully help him with wise words but he has all the ability and well done to him."

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The latest transfer news as a Tottenham target completes his Aston Villa medical.

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Aston Villa are expected to announce their first signing of the summer after Feyenoord striker Zepiqueno Redmond completed his medical on Tuesday.

Unai Emery was eager to bring in a new young centre-forward following the success of nurturing Jhon Duran and selling him on for a big profit. Redmond, whose Feyenoord contract expires on June 30, won’t cost a penny in transfer fees and is expected to join up with the Villa youth ranks before breaking through into the first team.

Birmingham World understands personal terms were agreed with Redmond several weeks ago and the Netherlands under-19 international travelled to the West Midlands on Tuesday to complete the formalities of his transfer. Having already passed his medical tests, Redmond will have put pen to paper on a long-term contract, officially joining on July 1.

Albeit one for the future rather than the here and now, Redmond is an exciting addition. Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Bournemouth are understood to have been tracking the striker, so Villa have inflicted a blow to two of their rivals, all while securing a hot prospect for themselves.

The deal encapsulates the wider philosophy being built at the football club, with Villa keen to foster young talent and gradually introduce them to first-team action. Emery is very good at supporting youngsters in their development and will no doubt have had a say in whether Redmond met his requirements.

Although it’s unlikely he’ll be fielded for many first-team minutes next season, there’s a possibility he could break through sooner than expected. Even if he doesn’t, Redmond will still be in superb hands as Villa are renowned for their excellent youth coaching and facilities – as showcased by last campaign’s FA Youth Cup triumph.

Who is Zepiqueno Redmond?

Amongst Feyenoord’s ranks since 2019, Redmond is an 18-year-old attacker thought to have big potential. He’s primarily a centre forward but has proven throughout his career that he’s also capable of thriving on the left wing when called upon. Redmond has represented the Netherlands at the under-16, under-17, under-18 and under-19 levels and has 26 caps in total across all those age groups, with a return of three goals.

He’s also scored 11 in 22 games at under-17 level for Feyenoord and a further 16 goals in 43 matches for the under-18s. He’s made just nine first-team appearances for Feyenoord, scoring two times in a cup game against MVV Maastricht, in a career which has so far seen him only start four professional games. He did, however, make an impression against AC Milan during a 1-1 draw when starting a last-16 play-off fixture in the Champions League.

Overall, Redmond has made nine appearances at first-team level and has caught the eye with his exceptional sprint speed, dribbling ability, and desire to run in behind and stretch opposing defences. He’s a talent who will only add to Villa’s existing up-and-coming forward options, including - but not limited to - Louie Barry and Rory Wilson.

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Unai Emery could soon sanction a major defensive transfer in a blow to Tottenham.

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Aston Villa are reportedly keeping close tabs on Juventus defender Federico Gatti this summer but face competition from several Premier League rivals.

Unai Emery is eager to sign a new centre-half to bolster quality and depth in defence and Gatti, who is considering leaving Juventus, has emerged as a potential target. Gatti started 26 of Juve’s 38 Serie A matches last season and is weighing up whether it’s worth transferring away to a club who would make him one of the first names on the team sheet.

That’s what a recent report from Caught Offside suggests, anyway, with Gatti attracting interest from a host of Premier League clubs. Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are said to hold the strongest interest but Nottingham Forest, West Ham United and Villa are all keeping a close eye on the situation.

Gatti has three years left on his contract and so Juve are under very little pressure to sell, but it’s claimed the Italian giants would be willing to let him go for around €35 million (£29.5m). Villa are said to have asked Juve to be kept informed on Gatti’s situation as they weigh up making a bid.

How would Gatti fit in at Aston Villa?

Signed from Frosinone in 2022 for around £8 million, Gatti has racked up 105 appearances for Juventus to date. The 26-year-old was more of a rotational option in his first season at Allianz Stadium but was a regular starter in his second and most recent third.

Right-footed and standing at 6ft 3in, Gatti would most likely be utilised as a right-sided centre-half at Villa Park. Emery tends to prefer having a more physical player on the right and a better technical individual on the left, though that’s not necessarily always the case with Tyrone Mings occasionally coming in to cause a bit of an offset.

If Gatti were to play on the right, he could be paired with Pau Torres, Mings or Ezri Konsa. Pau and Mings are the more natural on the left but Konsa’s weaker left foot is still fairly strong and he’s adaptable, so he can play there too. It would be tough for Gatti to break into the starting XI given how much quality Villa already have at centre-back, but he likely wouldn’t join without assurances of a regular spot.

If Villa were to land Gatti, they could well and truly reach the next level. The six-time Italy international may not be a huge-name marquee signing but Villa were crying out for depth at the back last season and could really benefit from acquiring a player of his calibre in that area.

Meanwhile, Birmingham World understands the Villans are also eager to sign a new versatile winger, a central midfielder, a right-back and a goalkeeper. Emery could sanction another striker signing, too, though the upcoming acquisition of Feyenoord youngster Zepiqueno Redmond makes that less of a priority.

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Ryan Mason might not have to look far for a genius West Bromwich Albion signing.

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West Bromwich Albion are expected to carry out a thorough squad rebuild this summer transfer window as they say farewell to several first-team players and seek to shift closer to the Premier League.

The Baggies recently ended a disappointing season, missing out on Championship play-off qualification due to a dismal run of results. Tony Mowbray lost his job after just four months in charge and it took Albion a good six weeks to source a replacement, but Ryan Mason has now been hired from Tottenham Hotspur and there’s optimism for the future.

It’s important that the recruitment team get their business spot on this summer, and, as pointed out by Mowbray during his final press conference, it could be beneficial to change the approach. As it stands, the higher-ups don’t speak to the head coach before making transfers. That surely cannot be a sustainable process going forward, so it’ll be interesting to see if there’s any change there.

The transfer budget certainly won’t be endless but West Brom’s pockets could be filled somewhat by the likely sale of winger Tom Fellows to the Premier League – perhaps raking in upwards of £15 million. There’s no guarantee of that, though, and regardless, the business carried out must be shrewd and well thought-out.

West Brom swoop for Tottenham Hotspur youngster makes perfect sense

To keep costs down while still strengthening the squad, Albion could turn to free agents and loan signings. Long-term fixes may be tricky in those markets but loans especially could plug gaps well and allow some budget to be stretched to other areas. Birmingham World reckons West Brom won’t have to look far to find a perfect loan signing, too, as Mason can utilise his contacts at Spurs to help out.

A popular figure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before his departure for The Hawthorns, Mason built up some superb relationships and worked well with younger players in particular. West Brom are understood to have been looking at signing Jamie Donley on loan before Mason had even been appointed, so he’s a potential addition, but another Spurs prospect could be even better.

Mikey Moore, just 17 years of age, racked up over 1,000 minutes at senior level for Spurs last season, including 361 in the Premier League. The left winger, a nine-time England Under-19 international, started the two final league fixtures of the season against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa before watching on from the sidelines as his side clinched the Europa League title against Manchester United in Bilbao.

Such an exciting prospect is expected to be of great use to Spurs in the future but Ange Postecoglou may decide it’s best to loan him out for guaranteed starts. The Championship could be the perfect level for Moore to develop and get used to the physicality of the English game.

Hordes of clubs are bound to jump at the opportunity if Moore does get listed for loan but West Brom could arguably be the favourites due to Mason’s presence. The pair already know each other well and the relationship between the Albion and Spurs hierarchies is strong.

The Baggies need a new left winger following Grady Diangana’s departure. Mikey Johnston impressed at times last season - and the campaign before that on loan - but wasn’t anywhere near consistent enough. Having another option in Moore would be very useful and the teenager could even shift over to the opposite flank if required as he’s capable of playing there.

Before joining up with the senior squad, Moore contributed a remarkable 19 goals and 13 assists in 24 matches for Spurs Under-18, adding a further two goals and two assists in five games for the Under-21 team. Quick, agile, creative, skilful and more than capable of finding the back of the net, Moore could be a shrewd season-long addition to West Brom’s attack.

Do you agree with us? Would you like to see Moore secure an Albion move? Let us know in the comments section.

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Ryan Mason is preparing for a huge first transfer window as West Brom’s new head coach.

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West Bromwich Albion can get down to business in the transfer market now Ryan Mason has been confirmed as the club’s new permanent head coach.

The Baggies took nearly two months to replace Tony Mowbray but finally have their man as Mason put pen to paper on a three-year contract earlier this week. Leaving his Tottenham Hotspur assistant coach gig just after winning the UEFA Europa League, Mason is excited to take on his first-ever full-time managerial role and believes The Hawthorns will be a great home to kickstart that chapter of his career.

An absolutely pivotal few months lie ahead as West Brom must replace outgoing first-team players Grady Diangana, John Swift and Semi Ajayi while plugging other areas of the squad. Significant sales are expected with Tom Fellows linked with a mega Premier League transfer and others heading into the final years of their contracts, so quite a squad overhaul could take place.

It’s a bit of a baptism of fire for Mason but much of the transfer business is conducted by the recruitment team, so not all the pressure is on his shoulders. West Brom won’t have a huge budget to work with but the potential sale of Fellows could help in that regard.

Some targets have already emerged but there aren’t too many named candidates for the host of positions Albion are looking to strengthen. Birmingham World understands that Spurs duo Jamie Donley and Mikey Moore are on the Baggies’ radar for potential loan moves and Gora Diouf has been lined up as a potential defensive swoop.

Mega first Ryan Mason West Brom summer transfer window predicted by AI

Who else could West Brom sign, then? It’s hard to say at this stage, so we’ve enlisted the help of artificial intelligence to suggest who Albion should target. Using Grok, the AI tool resident on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), we’ve come up with six signings who could help propel the Baggies back into play-off contention.

First up is soon-to-be free agent striker Danny Ings, who is leaving West Ham United at the end of his contract on June 30. Grok believes the former England international would be the perfect man to help end West Brom’s goalscoring woes. Ings, who once cost Aston Villa £25 million to sign from Southampton, has netted 72 goals in 240 career English top-tier appearances. Ings’ wages could perhaps be an issue but he may be convinced to lower his expectations if guaranteed a starting spot.

The next suggested signing is Crewe Alexandra’s Zac Williams. Albeit a rather rogue shout, the Wales under-21 international would provide handy cover at both centre-back and left-back. He’d also be a free addition as his Crewe deal is up at the end of the month. Stepping up from League Two to the Championship could be tricky but Williams wouldn’t be expected to start games immediately.

Yet another possible free agent addition Grok has suggested is FC Sion’s Gora Diouf, a 21-year-old Senegalese. The central defender played 24 times for Sion in the Swiss Super League throughout 2024/25. Albeit most likely not quite ready for this level, Diouf has some great potential that Albion could tap into and he could rotate in to begin with.

Moving onto Mason’s old team, and there could be a brilliant addition from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Promising young winger Mikey Moore recently enjoyed a breakthrough season in the Spurs first team as he played 939 minutes across all competitions, scoring two goals and providing two assists. Moore, a quick and skilful left winger, is being lined up for his first-ever loan and Grok things Mason should be reunited with the 17-year-old at The Hawthorns.

Now, at this stage we have a slight hunch that Grok may have been reading Birmingham World to offer these suggestions, as it has picked out Donley. Completing a double Spurs swoop, the Northern Irishman is another target we have revealed on this website. Nonetheless, it’s a decent shout as Donley, predominantly an attacking midfielder but also capable of playing a little deeper or out wide, could offer plenty in a host of roles.

Last but not least, Grok has predicted Albion to swoop for AFC Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers. The 26-year-old has been linked with Birmingham City this summer but Blues have pursued a loan deal for Brighton & Hove Albion’s James Beadle instead. Travers, who won the Championship Golden Glove two years ago, could be available for a bargain £4 million fee.

Do you agree with the AI suggestions? Let us know in the comments section.

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The latest transfer news as Wolves prepare a bid for a Spurs and West Ham target.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly made OGC Nice striker Evann Guessand their number one attacking transfer target this summer.

Vitor Pereira is eager to add depth and quality to his forward line as Wolves relied on Jorgen Strand Larsen as the sole number nine throughout much of last season. The likes of Tammy Abraham and Yuri Alberto have been linked but Guessand could be the one Wanderers decide to bid for.

Sky Sports News reports Wolves have made Guessand their top target and are considering making a first offer in the region of £25 million. It is mentioned that there is huge interest from across the Premier League and Europe but Wanderers are determined to win the race.

Guessand, who is a Nice academy product, finally became a regular starter last season after several campaigns as an impact substitute and one out on loan at FC Nantes. The 23-year-old showed why he should have been starting all this time as he scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in 33 Ligue 1 appearances throughout 2024/25.

Wolves may have to act quickly if they are to land Guessand as French publication Fraternite Matins, via Team Talk, reports Tottenham Hotspur have made an enquiry to Nice about signing the striker. Meanwhile, L’Equipe reported in the winter that West Ham United were in advanced talks to sign Guessand but did not manage to complete a deal.

It awaits to be seen if £25 million would be enough to land Guessand but the eight-time Ivory Coast international would probably be worth the investment. A dozen goals during a Ligue 1 season may not sound that impressive but when you add in the nine assists, it becomes a far more respectable return. Guessand could also help feed Strand Larsen and the wingers at Molineux, too, given his height and physicality.

Big summer ahead for Wolves

Now the season is over and Wolves survived relegation by a comfortable 17-point margin, the club can look ahead to next campaign without guilt. Vitor Pereira had the winter window to sign the likes of Emmanuel Agbadou, Marshall Munetsi and Nasser Djiga, but he’s yet to have a full summer to properly make his mark on the squad.

The 56-year-old head coach is expected to hold talks over extending his Wolves contract and he’s bound to be backed by the board in the transfer market as a result. He will have money to spend, too, as Matheus Cunha has left for a record £62.5 million fee and Rayan Ait-Nouri is in advanced talks to join Manchester City for £33.6 million.

Some of that cash could be spent on Guessand if he’s willing to join, but the priority will be signing a direct replacement for Cunha. Pereira is also understood to want to bolster the depth in defence.

Quite a squad overhaul could take place despite Wolves’ recent resurgence. It’s the first summer for Pereira to get fully involved in transfer business, after all, with the Portuguese manager eager to guide the Old Gold to bigger and better things after a strong start.

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Aston Villa could surprise Tottenham Hotspur with a hijack bid for an attacking transfer target.

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Aston Villa are on the hunt for a new left-sided attacker as Marcus Rashford will return to Manchester United at the end of his loan and won’t sign permanently.

The Villans had the option to buy Rashford for £40 million this summer but have decided against the move as the England international wants to play in the Champions League and his wage demands are too excessive. Other options are being considered as a result, with a shortlist drawn up and being added to.

Unai Emery would prefer Villa to sign a versatile forward who plays predominantly on the left but can also be utilised in other positions if required. The likes of Noni Madueke, Alejandro Garnacho, Arda Guler and Alex Baena all somewhat fit that bill and have been linked with a move to Villa Park, but no negotiations are underway for any targets for this position just yet.

Aston Villa could attempt stunning Tottenham Hotspur transfer hijack

One player Villa were interested in signing back in the winter and could turn their attention to once again is Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel. Tottenham Hotspur loaned the Frenchman for the second half of last season and have the option to sign him permanently for £45 million, but the north London club are reportedly reluctant to pay such a fee.

Although no reports have surfaced just yet to suggest Villa will reignite their interest in Tel, we at Birmingham World believe there’s an opportunity for a hijack. Spurs have the upper hand with Champions League football on the table but Villa are a far more stable club and the project could prove more alluring long term.

Tel, quick off the mark and an effective ball carrier, started 11 times for Spurs in the Premier League, scoring two goals and providing one assist. The 20-year-old, regarded as one of the most promising young forwards in Europe, also played 209 minutes of Tottenham’s Europa League-winning campaign, while he scored Spurs’ only goal in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat away at Villa Park.

Sky Germany reports Ange Postecoglou’s side want to keep Tel but don’t want to activate their £45 million purchase clause. Instead, Spurs are eager to loan Tel for another season with an obligation to buy him in the summer of 2026. Bayern aren’t too keen on that route, however, with the Bundesliga champions preferring a permanent sale this summer.

It’s stated that negotiations are ongoing between the two clubs with everything “still open”. Bayern director Max Eberl has been in intense talks with both Spurs and Tel for several weeks and all parties are attempting to find the best possible solution.

Although Tel looks likely to re-sign for Tottenham, there’s still time for Villa to make a shock swoop. Man Utd had effectively wrapped up a deal to sign Tel themselves back in February before Spurs performed a stunning hijack. Villa could now try and do the same if they wish.

It’s awkward timing with Villa in need of making a significant sale or two to conform to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), but a move for Tel could work if the Spurs talks run beyond the June 30 deadline. The France under-21 international is exactly the kind of player Villa are looking for, after all, so he could be worth the hefty investment.

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Ryan Mason’s first words as West Brom manager after leaving Tottenham Hotspur.

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West Bromwich Albion have confirmed the appointment of Ryan Mason as their new head coach on a three-year contract. The 33-year-old has left his role as Tottenham Hotspur assistant manager to team up with the Baggies, succeeding Tony Mowbray and ending West Brom’s managerial search of nearly two months.

After much deliberation, Mason has taken the plunge and accepted his first proper manager’s job following two brief spells as Spurs’ interim head coach – when Jose Mourinho was sacked in 2021 and when Antonio Conte left in 2023. West Brom’s new man won six of his 13 matches in charge of Tottenham, losing six and drawing one.

Among those supporting Mason as part of his backroom staff will be James Morrison, Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill, while Nigel Gibbs has left Reading to become one of the new assistant coach and Sam Pooley has joined as head of performance.

Albion spoke to several candidates and were patient in their approach, knowing the next appointment will be pivotal as the club seeks to move back into Championship play-off contention. Mason isn’t expected to be heavily involved in the recruitment as there’s quite the disconnect between the head coach and the boardroom - as explosively revealed by Mowbray - but he’s likely to have a slight influence.

Ryan Mason’s first words as West Brom manager

It wasn’t an easy decision for Mason to leave Spurs after they just ended their 17-year trophy drought, winning the Europa League and qualifying for next season’s Champions League by beating Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao last month. Mason believes the time has come to take a leading role in the dugout, though, and he’s excited to be joining.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have been appointed head coach of West Bromwich Albion,” Mason said. This is a huge club with a fantastic infrastructure and an incredible fan base and I am excited about what we can achieve together.

“Having spoken at length to the board and those at the club I am convinced that Albion is the perfect place for me to be and I can’t wait to get started. I will bring with me a huge amount of enthusiasm, dedication and ambition and look forward to a positive future together at such a fantastic club.”

Meanwhile, chairman Shilen Patel has explained the decision to appoint Mason. “We are delighted to welcome Ryan to The Hawthorns as our new head coach, along with Nigel and Sam,” Patel said. “We have undertaken a thoughtful and expansive search and Ryan always stood out to us among an incredibly strong group of candidates.

“We are excited to have someone whose skillset means he has the aptitude to help us further establish elite standards in both preparation and player development for the first team and across all our team programmes.

“His experiences as both a first team player and coach under some of the game’s most respected minds, along with his time leading academy sides, will be instrumental as we shape a clear philosophy and unified identity at all levels at the Albion.”