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After Aston Villa endured a day to forget on the Premier League’s opening weekend, it only stands to reason that they must sign players, and ideally good ones. Milan wide man Rafael Leão has flirted with a move to England in the past and he could be the answer to Unai Emery’s attacking troubles, if that answer is not named Nicolas Jackson or Jean-Philippe Mateta.
And Villa are not just concentrating their efforts on reshaping their forward line. Rangers’ Nicolas Raskin could fit the bill in midfield, where they looked light in the shellacking by Brighton, while Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordóñez looks to be coming in after Southampton pushed back on Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
The Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has repeatedly refused to rule out an exit for Enzo Fernández, and it seems Manchester City have been listening the whole time and they could try again for the popular Argentinian. The Blues still like Alex Scott as a midfield replacement, though time may be running out to snap up the Bournemouth star. It’s claimed Chelsea have seen three bids for Scott rejected this summer, so could turn their attention to Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga instead.
City also appear to have joined Tottenham in their admiration of Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo – though without any incoming forwards at Anfield, the Dutchman probably won’t be going anywhere. The Reds are struggling to progress on a deal for Bradley Barcola, but have been linked with Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, who would plug an important gap in the middle of Andoni Iraola’s side.
Down in the Championship, Sheffield United have drawn their first two league games 0-0, so Chris Wilder has clearly identified central defence as an area that needs strengthening. Adam Webster is a free agent after leaving Brighton and is of interest to the Blades.
Wrexham, meanwhile, want to sign Pavel Sulc, who is valued at around £10m by his current employers Lyon. The Welsh club have obviously spent big on their French scouting budget this summer given they also covet Jacques Ekomié, the Angers left-back, though may face competition from West Ham. The Hammers are preparing for the possibility of Brentford snapping up El Hadji Malick Diouf.
And could Dele Alli be set for another return to Serie A? Monza apparently want to take a gamble on the midfielder, who has been training with West Ham this summer. The former Tottenham prodigy is now 30 and was last seen in March 2025 getting sent off on his only appearance for Como.
