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Aston Villa are in advanced talks with Chelsea over a club-record deal for Tammy Abraham, according to journalist Rudy Galetti.

The Lowdown: Links have been building

The rumours linking Abraham with a return to Villa Park have been building in recent months.

Villa were thought to be admirers of the forward back in March, and stories in April suggested that the Blues were ready to offload Abraham this summer.

The Mirror claimed last week that Villa were willing to spend up to £40m on the 23-year-old, and one reporter believes talks are now progressing over a Midlands return.

The Latest: Galetti’s claim

Italian reporter Galetti posted on Twitter late on Wednesday evening, suggesting discussions are at an advanced stage.

He claimed that Villa are preparing an offer close to €45m, which converts to about £38.7m.

“Chelsea – Aston Villa: advanced talks for Tammy Abraham. The Villans are preparing an offer close to €45M: the England striker could leave Chelsea soon.”

Should a deal go through at that price, Abraham would become the club’s most expensive signing of all time, breaking the record recently set following Emiliano Buendia’s £34.56m move earlier this summer.

The Verdict: Ambitious

Should Galetti’s claim prove accurate, it just goes to show Villa’s ambition.

Abraham may well rival Ollie Watkins for a starting spot up front, with the likes of Jack Grealish, Buendia and possibly even target Emile Smith Rowe behind in a 4-2-3-1 system.

Smith didn’t play two in attack at any point last season, so you’d expect he’d have the attacking depth required to push on again next season if he gets his man in Abraham.

He already has 26 Villa goals to his name following his loan spell in the Midlands and could prove to be a shrewd signing, even at a record-breaking price.

In other news: Many AVFC fans react to Mark Goldbridge’s post on Jack Grealish, find out more here. 

According to reports out of Spain, a major Tottenham Hotspur transfer update has come to light involving Inter Milan defender and top target Alessandro Bastoni.

The Lowdown: Spurs shortlist Bastoni…

Sharing some midweek transfer news, Tottenham correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke took to Twitter with a list of top Fabio Paratici transfer targets.

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Bolstering the left-centre-back position is apparently a ‘top summer priority’ for Antonio Conte and co with four big names on their radar ahead of a crunch transfer window.

This list includes Joško Gvardiol (RB Leipzig), Sven Botman (Lille), Nico Schlotterbeck (SC Freiburg) and Bastoni.

The latter central defensive ace, who Conte knows very well from his time at Inter, is allegedly now at the centre of a marquee bid from Tottenham.

The Latest: Lilywhites table marquee offer…

According to Spanish sources, Tottenham have now lodged a marquee €50 million (£42m) bid to sign Bastoni ahead of this summer.

It is believed that Conte has personally set his sights on the Italy international with the report also claiming Spurs’ head coach ‘undoubtedly falls in love’ Bastoni.

The Verdict: Top defender…

Signing the 22-year-old would come as a real statement of intent for Spurs this summer.

Bastoni could be earmarked as a long-term international replacement for the likes of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini with both Azzurri stars now well into their twilight phase.

The Nerazzurri starlet could be a pivotal figure for Italy over years to come with his characteristics/reputation indicating there is real potential for Bastoni to be successful at Spurs.

Standing at a lofty 6 foot 2, he has the physicality, and Serie A critics have pointed out just how excellent Bastoni has been at the San Siro.

Get Italian Football News journalist Kaustubh Pandey has lavished the colossal centre-half as a ‘world class’ player with it being clear as day why Conte is eager to sign him.

In other news: Tottenham eye agreement ‘in the coming weeks’ as they make offer for exciting midfielder, find out more here.

Craig Hope has revealed that Belgium boss Roberto Martinez is now in the frame to take over the vacant manager’s job at Newcastle United.

What’s the story?

As was to be expected, a number of names have already been linked with the job left by Steve Bruce earlier on Wednesday, with former AS Roma manager Paulo Fonseca among those to be touted.

But, while Hope indicated that Fonseca has been spoken to by the club, Martinez has now also emerged as a possible contender, and that the early signs are that he would be interested in becoming the new Magpies boss.

He said: “One thing said to me y’day re next NUFC boss is that odds on Fonseca are reflective of fact they’ve spoken to him, but that could change if/when they speak to others. Roberto Martinez also in frame. He’s interested & it would cost less than £2m to buyout Belgium contract.”

Fans will be fuming

While Martinez may be leading the world’s number one ranked side in Belgium, that hasn’t actually translated into any considerable trophy success.

They lost in the semi-finals of the World Cup back in 2018 which was his first tournament in charge and were defeated 2-1 by Italy in the quarter-finals of the EUROs earlier this summer.

His record at domestic level is arguably even more worrying and what will really cause Magpies fans to be up in arms.

Despite winning the FA Cup with Wigan, he did get the Latics relegated from the Premier League, while a period of lavish spending in his next job at Everton couldn’t deliver any trophies there.

His best-placed finish at Goodison Park was fifth, but he ended up losing his job on Merseyside in May 2016 after leaving them 12th in the table with just one game remaining.

Martinez’s record as manager isn’t something to really shout home about, and the fact he’s been out of the club scene for a number of years now is surely an asterisk too.

Hope’s update on the Spaniard being in the frame for the job at St James’ Park is surely not going to have Newcastle fans happy.

Meanwhile, a “favourite” has emerged for the Newcastle United job…

A fresh Rangers transfer development has emerged regarding the future of Wales international Aaron Ramsey… 

What’s the talk?

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, the Gers are planning to hold talks with Juventus over a deal to sign him on another deal this summer.

The report claims that the Glasgow giants are keen to keep hold of the midfielder beyond the end of his current loan spell.

Juventus agreeing on a new contract with him is said to be the most likely scenario, with his current wages reported to be £175k-per-week, before attempting to find him a new club before next season.

This all comes after TEAMtalk reported earlier this week that Rangers had not ruled out the possibility of snapping him up ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Bouncing

This update will surely leave Ibrox bouncing for multiple reasons.

Firstly, the supporters will be buzzing with the Italian club’s desire to let him go. It would surely increase the chances that Ross Wilson will be able to negotiate a fresh deal for Ramsey, along with his new contract at Juventus hopefully lowering the wage demands which will be forced upon the Gers.

They will also be delighted as it shows that the Light Blues’ sporting director is being proactive by already planning a transfer meeting to secure a swoop for the midfielder. Instead of waiting until the end of the campaign to decide whether or not they want to bring him in, they have seemingly made their mind up and want to make it happen.

This also shows big ambition from the Gers, as Ramsey is a player with a huge pedigree and signing him for a second stint would be a big coup for the club. He is starting to prove his worth on the pitch this season as he has scored two goals in his last two appearances against Dundee and Celtic.

Ramsey has a vast wealth of experience at the top level, and signing him ahead of clubs competing in Europe’s top five leagues would be a masterclass from Wilson. He has played more than 400 games for Arsenal and Juventus combined, scoring or setting up 142 goals in the process, and this illustrates why it would be a coup to land him as he has proven himself at the top level.

Therefore, Ibrox will be bouncing with Wilson’s plan of action and the fans will be buzzing with the ambition being shown to sign the Wales midfielder.

AND in other news, 100% duels lost: Rangers dud who lost the ball every 1.8 touches v Braga failed his manager’s big test…

There is a willingness to get transfer business done at Leeds United this month, according to reliable journalist Beren Cross.

What’s the word?

The LeedsLive reporter delivered an exciting update to supporters in a recent Q&A on the website, where he was asked about whether the Yorkshire giants were more focused on the summer, rather than now.

“I wouldn’t say more focused on the summer because their focus is on January right now. Victor Orta wants to strengthen at Elland Road this month, as hard as that may be,” he responded.

“The board will always have one eye on the future though and will know there always has to be an element of doubt around Bielsa’s future because of his contract situation.”

Bielsa surely buzzing

It’s certainly going to come as a huge source of encouragement to those around Elland Road that their director of football is keen to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s playing squad this month.

The Argentine head coach is in desperate need of additions before deadline day on January 31st.

Despite moving eight points clear of the relegation zone, Leeds are still in a perilous position both on and off the pitch – the two teams below them have games in hand and the injuries are never-ending.

Heading into this weekend’s Premier League encounter with West Ham United, the 66-year-old is set to be without as many as nine first-team stars, including key midfield cog Kalvin Phillips and skipper Liam Cooper.

He has also been without leading talisman Patrick Bamford for the majority of the campaign, and though he is set to return this weekend, it’s clear that the England international does not have sufficient backup in attack.

Not only is a forward needed but also a midfielder and perhaps another option at the back. He does only have one senior left-back, for example.

Bielsa should, therefore, be absolutely delighted by this fresh update.

AND in other news, Leeds eye 1st January signing in “dominant” 37-cap titan, he could be another Lasogga…

Sheffield Wednesday have gathered a rather mixed bag of results in their current League One campaign so far, winning four, drawing two and losing three of their opening nine league games of the season. That has left them in ninth place in the table with a home clash against Oxford United coming up this Saturday.

The Owls’ latest league match saw them beat Wigan Athletic 2-1 at the DW Stadium, ultimately knocking their opponents off top spot in the table.

Despite Darren Moore’s side managing to take all three points in midweek thanks to an own goal from Max Power and a second half strike from Callum Paterson, there was one Owls player in the game who did not have a particularly successful night.

On The Chalkboard

Left-back Jaden Brown, who played in a more advanced role against Wigan and has done throughout the season so far, lost possession 12 times and ultimately earned himself a rather disappointing overall match rating of 5.8/10, making him Wednesday’s lowest-rated player on the night according to SofaScore.

Since joining the Owls on a free transfer from Championship club Huddersfield Town during the summer transfer window, the 22-year-old – who is currently valued at £450k according to Transfermarkt – has made six appearances across all competitions for Wednesday, but has yet to score a goal or provide an assist for the team.

Looking ahead to the match against Oxford, we feel that it would be the best if Moore were to drop Brown from the team on this occasion and give Olamide Shodipo – who recently defended Moore and Wednesday’s start to the season – a chance to see if he can be a better fit for the team on the left of midfield.

Moving forward, if Moore decides to stick with Brown in that position, the 22-year-old will need to vastly improve upon what he delivered on the pitch against Wigan, or else he could soon find himself out of the team as the season progresses.

In other news: “Unpredictable” £4.8k-p/w ace drops promising transfer hint, SWFC fans will be buzzing

Former professional footballer David Norris believes that if Manchester City can add both Jack Grealish and Harry Kane to their squad, it would take them to another level.

City completed the £100m signing of the former England international earlier this month, following plenty of speculation throughout the summer months.

Whilst that deal is completed, another name that City have been linked with is Tottenham striker Harry Kane, with the club’s Athletic correspondent Sam Lee suggesting that the Premier League champions are confident of sealing a deal before the transfer window closes on August 31st – it remains to be seen whether the England captain starts against the club that want him on the opening day of the season tomorrow.

If the Cityzens can follow up the Grealish deal by signing Kane, Norris believes it will take the club to another level, telling Football FanCast: “To take them two, just to add to what they have already got, you can’t see past them then. 

“With the other teams, Man United are getting better and were good, but they are still a little bit inconsistent for me. Liverpool had a bad season so it will be interesting to see how they come back but they’re going to need to bring in a few.

“It looks like it will just be Man City, they already have their way of playing, a settled group of players and they’re just topping it up with pure quality.”

After adding another Premier League title and Carabao Cup last season, City will be hoping that they can defend their titles this coming season and also mount another serious charge for the Champions League.

Leeds United’s woes continued as the Yorkshire giants were defeated by Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday evening.

Marcelo Bielsa and his side were already sat just one place above the relegation zone, just two points adrift, but they were unrewarded in a game that they actually looked quite promising in.

The Argentine was without several key stars, with Raphinha (illness) and Rodrigo (injury) surprise absentees, on top of leading talisman Patrick Bamford and vice-captain Luke Ayling.

Spurs failed to even register a shot on target in the first half as the Whites went into the break one goal to the good after Dan James met Jack Harrison’s low-driven cross.

However, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and then Sergio Reguilon found the net for the home side to seal the come-from-behind victory.

Leeds had more possession and more attempts at goal than Spurs, yet a vast majority of these came from outside the area and it’s yet another cause for concern for Bielsa as his side looked hopeless in the final third.

His two wingers may have combined for their only goal – their 12th in as many games, to be precise – but neither pulled up any trees besides that one moment.

Particularly with Harrison as he looked rather lightweight on the left. He lost possession more times (24) than any other visiting player, meaning he handed possession back to Spurs once every 2.75 minutes across the whole game.

Furthermore, he failed with his six other crosses, managing an accuracy rate of just 14% and similarly, a passing accuracy of 78% was the second-worst of any outfield starter, as per SofaScore.

The former Man City graduate also appeared to be weak in his battles, winning just 27% of his 15 battles, which suggests that, more often than not, he struggled up against Emerson Royal and the home back-three.

On social media, it was 59th-minute substitute Junior Firpo that received plenty of flak from supporters, but given he was thrown on in difficult circumstances and was tasked with defensive duties, rather than forward ones, he cannot garner much of the blame.

Yes, Harrison got the assist for their opener but aside from that, he struggled to combat the Lilywhites’ physical threat and he was rather wasteful too.

The £60k-per-week dynamo could’ve made an even bigger impact had he replicated his actions in the 44th minute with more consistency throughout the game and as such, he will have disappointed Bielsa to not have delivered more.

AND in other news, Beren Cross drops John Swift transfer update…

Leeds United will always be on the lookout for who could be the next Kalvin Phillips at Elland Road and Marcelo Bielsa may already have an ideal candidate in U23 gem Nohan Kenneh.

Many around west Yorkshire will be hoping that the talismanic anchorman will remain at the club for many, many more years but those with a sense of realism will know that may not be the case as his stock continues to rise on both the domestic and international stage.

It would, therefore, be wise to think ahead and consider who could be the man to replace him in the future and there isn’t a better fit than the 18-year-old midfielder.

Kenneh has admitted himself that he models his game on the Leeds first-team star, as well as former Premier League legend Patrick Vieira, who is now in charge of top-flight rivals Crystal Palace.

“Currently, I look up to Kalvin Phillips as we both play in a similar position but I occasionally watch videos of Patrick Vieira for his qualities in midfield,” he revealed a couple of years ago (in quotes via Football League World).

At 6 foot 2, playing in the same role, the teenager could well fit right in under Bielsa if his development continues in that manner and given how well Phillips has handled himself in recent years, the emerging Thorp Arch talent should hold his own in the big time, if even given that opportunity.

Kenneh has been lauded as a ‘supremely-gifted’ and versatile prodigy by The Athletic’s Phil Hay in the past, whilst The Roaring Peacock podcaster Matty Ingham has previously described the youngster as “one of the biggest prospects in the academy if we’re being honest. Big, physical presence, can carry the ball and he’s powerful and quick.”

The 18-year-old gem was part of the Whites’ Premier League 2 Divison Two title-winning squad, and has racked up 27 appearances for the U23s, including 12 matches in the Premier League 2 and three games in the EFL Trophy – even captaining the team once – this term alone, via Transfermarkt.

Also dubbed a “big prospect” and “one to watch” by Hay in a fan Q&A, the “really assertive” Kenneh is also similar to Phillips in terms of leadership and communication, having earned further praise from youth coach Mark Jackson, per LeedsLive.

He has certainly caught the eye of the Leeds faithful on social media in recent times and they should get even more excited by the prospect of having a potential heir to the throne.

On the above evidence, it’s surely a matter of time before we see the teen sensation get his chance in the senior set-up. He has early qualities that could replicate that of the England international.

In Kenneh, United may well have another Phillips.

AND in other news, Leeds must axe £13.5m-rated dud who left Bielsa “furious”, he’s not good enough for PL…

Leeds United must enter the race to sign Arsenal starlet Joe Willock amid David Norris’ recent transfer claim.

What’s the story?

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Whites midfielder Norris said: “I think it would be a good signing just from what he’s done and the potential he has got.

“I think it would look a bit like taking a chance at this stage rather than signing someone you know who is tried and tested, and going to come in with some real quality. But I still think it would potentially be a good signing.”

Bielsa would love him

After seeing him score on his Newcastle debut against Southampton last season, Magpies manager Steve Bruce claimed that Willock has the style of play from which his side could really benefit.

He said: “It was a classic midfield player’s goal from the ability to arrive in the box, and that’s what he’s brought us. He can go box-to-box, he’s a terrific athlete, the kid, a typical modern-day midfield player who has the ability to get up and down the pitch quickly and has that added ability to score a goal.”

That ability to get into the box at the right time to finish things off is something about which Owen Hargreaves has waxed lyrical, too, hailing him after his goal-scoring display against Dundalk in the Europa League earlier last season.

The former England midfielder said: “The point is, he can do so much, he gets in the box in the right place at the right time. He wants it to feet, he’s always on the half-turn, which is nice to see. Today I saw a bit more athleticism rather than just coasting in there. His overall game is really good.”

The £34m-rated ace racked up 11 goals in all competitions last season and went on a real hot streak to end the campaign – he bagged seven in seven in the Premier League, becoming the youngest player ever to achieve that feat, making him a top-flight record breaker.

Partnering him alongside a more natural holding midfielder in Kalvin Phillips could see Leeds have a formidable duo in the engine room, with the latter protecting the back four and Willock breaking forward to be a threat in the box.

Meanwhile, Leeds United have had a bid accepted for this player…