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Aston Villa are preparing an offer in an attempt to bring AS Roma defender Roger Ibanez to the Premier League, according to reports.

Who is Roger Ibanez?

Ibanez is naturally a centre-back who has played his football at the Stadio Olimpico permanently since 2021 after joining following a successful loan spell from Atalanta, as per Transfermarkt, where he’s clocked up a total of 149 appearances to date.

The Brazil international still has another two years to run on his contract, but having established himself as Jose Mourinho’s second top-performing defensive player last season, he’s grabbed the attention of Unai Emery and Monchi in the Midlands.

Back in May, CalcioMercatoWeb credited the Villans with an interest in the 24-year-old and claimed that they had been monitoring him for several months, and if the following update is to be believed, the Villa hierarchy are now considering an official approach.

Are Aston Villa signing Ibanez?

According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport (via TEAMtalk), Aston Villa will "soon submit an offer" for Ibanez. AS Roma signing Evan Ndicka means that the defender is "free to find a new club" and the English top-flight outfit are "ready to present" a bid in the hope of securing his services. The Serie A side would "accept" a fee of €25-30m (£21.4-25.7m), which is "easily within the reach" of NSWE.

Aston Villa are set to welcome Villarreal defender Pau Torres for a medical this week so it’s difficult to see why Emery would want big money new centre-backs, but should that be the case, Ibanez could be the perfect partner for the Spaniard having been dubbed “untouchable” in a starting XI by Mourinho.

The 2021/22 Europa Conference League winner was a rock at the heart of his side’s backline last season having won 33 tackles and with the second-highest success rate throughout his squad, via FBRef, not to mention that he also averaged 2.8 clearances per league game so he likes to get stuck in and clear the ball away from his area.

Finally, Ibanez, who has the versatility to operate anywhere across the backline and even two roles in the midfield, shares the same agent, Bertolucci Sports, as Diego Carlos, so this existing connection that his representative already has to the club could give them a small advantage when trying to get a deal over the line.

Aston Villa are closing in on Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres, as Unai Emery eyes a reunion with his former star.

Monchi will be hoping to deliver a strong summer of signings in his opening spell as president of football operations, with the La Liga gem having the potential to be a marquee capture.

Villa’s quest for the Spaniard extends back to January, where 90min suspected that the defender could follow Emery to the Midlands.

News this week reported by Spanish outlet Sport claimed that the 26-year-old’s next destination is in the ‘final stretch’, with both Villa and Bayern Munich named as the clubs that have made ‘firm offers’.

It was reported by Football Insider that the Yellow Submarine require a figure succeeding the £40m mark to see Torres depart.

What could Pau Torres offer to Aston Villa?

Ranking as one of the best centre-backs in Europe for his progressive play, the Villarreal ace has excelled this season and could be a thrilling asset for Emery to integrate into his side.

Lauded as “extraordinary” by former coach Javi Calleja via The Athletic, Torres placed in the top 1% of central defenders on the continent with an average of 2.24 progressive carries per 90, as per FBref, showing his competency on the ball.

Winning 61% of his total duels in La Liga this campaign, the Spaniard is a colossus in defence with a presence that could take Emery’s side to the next level.

Introducing a talent of the calibre of Torres could inspire Villa to hit further heights than what was achieved this season, in a way similar to the influence fellow centre-back Virgil Van Dijk had when signing for Liverpool.

The Reds captured the Dutchman’s signature in the January window of the 2017/18 season, in a campaign that saw Jurgen Klopp's side finish fourth.

The following two campaigns highlighted the importance of the controlling defender in the side, taking them to their sixth Champions League trophy in his first full term and then on to winning their first Premier League title the following season in 2020.

Hailed as “the best defender in the world” in 2019 by pundit Paul Merson via Sky Sports, Van Dijk was integral to Liverpool’s rise to success, acting as a true leader at the back and excelling in his defensive duties.

As per Sofascore, the Dutchman won an astounding 75% of his total duels in Liverpool’s title-winning campaign, recording an average of 1.1 interceptions and 4.3 clearances per game, being dribbled past an average of just 0.2 times per game.

Similar numbers have been hit by Torres this season in La Liga, recording a per-game average of 4.1 clearances and being dribbled past only 0.4 times, via Sofascore, showing the levels the Spaniard is operating at.

Villa had a fantastic campaign in clinching European football under Emery, and could potentially replicate the rise of Liverpool’s form by introducing their own world-beating centre-back.

The Villa boss described the 26-year-old to football.london as being a player he’d “never seen” anyone like, posing as a dominant figure to have in central defence and an individual that could inspire the squad at Villa Park to reach further heights. Indeed, like Van Dijk, he is progressive, composed and a titan at the back.

Pep Guardiola could be about to pull off another stroke of genius in the transfer market after winger Riyad Mahrez was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Man City transfer news – Riyad Mahrez

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Mahrez has been subject to an approach from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.

Romano stated that the Algerian winger had been the target of a bumper bid from Saudi Arabia as clubs from the country target top talent in Europe with the help of the nation’s Public Investment Fund.

Mahrez has two years left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, so the European champions would look for a sizable fee from Al-Ahli to let the winger leave the club.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Italian journalist Rudy Galetti confirmed the approach and expects a decision on the future of Mahrez to be made soon.

"We know for sure he received a big offer from Al-Ahli three weeks ago that he rejected. But a few days before the Champions League final, the Saudi Arabian club presented a new huge bid. The response of the player has not yet arrived and is expected soon," he said.

Could Guardiola repeat his Gabriel Jesus masterstroke?

One of the reasons Man City and Guardiola have been so successful in recent seasons is their ruthlessness in the transfer market.

Unlike rivals like Manchester United and Liverpool, City don’t fear letting club legends and fan favourites walk before their sell-by date, and Mahrez – who was previously hailed as a "genius" by both The Guardian's Barney Ronay and his former Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri – could be the next player to depart, despite still possessing much of the magician-like quality a treble-winning side needs.

The club continue to rebuild and reshape the team even while the team is performing on the pitch, as opposed to changing things once it is desperately needed.

Take the sale of Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal, for example.

City offloaded the Brazilian striker to their Premier League rivals for £45m last summer after signing him back in 2017 for an estimated £27m from Brazilian club Palmeiras.

The Spaniard let Jesus walk in his prime at the age of 25, and eyebrows were raised over the sale.

City wasted no time in replacing him, snapping up Julian Alvarez the same summer after agreeing a deal for the Argentinian in the January window.

Alvarez cost just £14m and has shown fantastic potential playing behind arguably the best striker in the world in Erling Haaland.

City legend Richard Dunne praised City for their remarkable work in the market.

Speaking to Virgin Media Sport, Dunne stated:

“The whole recruitment, they don’t make many mistakes.

“They did get it wrong at the start maybe with a couple of players here and there but now over the last three or four years every single player who has come in, you look at Alvarez, he was £15m, £16m so well affordable for the whole of the Premier League and most of Europe, but City were the ones who went out and got him."

The sale of Jesus not only made the club a significant profit but replacing him with the cheap option of Alvarez has worked wonders and created City more breathing room under the Financial Fair Play rules.

Mahrez, who cost £60m in 2018, could be another man who leaves the Etihad Stadium despite still having significant potential to help the side. It’s a smart business decision from Guardiola and City and allows more funds to be made available to City to spend this summer.

One priority position that Manchester United may be looking to strengthen this summer is the goalkeeping ranks, with speculation rife as to whether long-serving asset, David De Gea, will be kept on beyond his current contract.

With just a matter of weeks left to run on the Spaniard's existing deal, there have been reports that the 32-year-old is set to be offered an extension on reduced terms, albeit with manager Erik ten Hag unlikely to guarantee that the former Atletico Madrid man will remain his first-choice pick ahead of next season.

The £375k-per-week man has arguably become a "big problem" for the Red Devils – according to pundit Jamie Carragher – having been culpable for Ilkay Gundogan's winner in the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

According to Manchester Evening News journalist, Samuel Luckhurst, that inability to deal with the German's 'saveable' attempt is another reason why De Gea 'needs moving on', with the question now as to just who could usurp the Premier League title winner at Old Trafford.

One potential surprise option that has emerged of late is that of Everton and England stopper, Jordan Pickford, with The Sun claiming that Ten Hag is eyeing a move for the 29-year-old, even if De Gea does stay at the club.

The report suggests that despite the former Sunderland man having only recently signed a new long-term deal at Goodison Park, a fee of around £30m could be enough to seal a deal this summer.

Should Man United sign Pickford?

While the experienced 'keeper has arguably been "outstanding" for his country in recent years – according to pundit Jamie O'Hara – after starting in the last three major tournaments, the jury is out on whether he can be relied upon on a consistent basis at club level.

In the view of BT Sport's Chris Sutton, the £125k-per-week asset is a "strange goalkeeper" and something of a "liability" between the sticks, as he simply "makes too many errors".

The 52-cap maverick notably made two errors leading to goals in the top flight in 2022/23 – the same tally as De Gea – with it clear to see that such a move would not be without risk for United.

The Old Trafford hierarchy may also be fearful of getting stung once again with the signing of a high-profile addition from Goodison, having memorably sealed an ultimately flawed deal for Romelu Lukaku from the Toffees back in 2017.

The Belgian international – who notably missed a gilt-edged chance for Inter Milan in Saturday's Champions League final – did score 42 goals in 96 games during his time in Manchester, although the towering marksman was unable to truly impress through the middle, having been lambasted by Luckhurst for his "woeful" and "costly" finishing in 2018.

Club legend Paul Scholes was also heavily critical of the striker's link-up play after suggesting that the one-time Chelsea man's "control isn't great", while fellow treble winner Gary Neville went as far as to claim that he was "delighted" when Lukaku was eventually sold to Inter for a fee of around £74m in 2019 – having been signed for a similar price two years earlier.

With those at the Theatre of Dreams evidently not warming to the Antwerp-born powerhouse, there may be fears that a similar disaster could occur if Pickford is to plot the same path this summer.

Arsenal are still potentially in the market to launch moves for both Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo this summer as they aim to bolster their midfield.

How much is Declan Rice worth?

Although Mikel Arteta and his men may have narrowly missed out on landing the Premier League title, it seems they are not looking to dwell on what could have been.

It was a mightily impressive 2022/23 campaign for the north London side until the final stages of the season where their grip on the title faded.

However, looking ahead to the summer, it seems as if Arsenal are looking to make some significant upgrades to their starting XI to launch another title charge for next season.

Indeed, the Gunners have been strongly linked with a potential move for West Ham United's captain with reports claiming they have their opening bid at the ready for the £100m-rated midfielder.

But it also seems as if the north London club could look to add more than just Rice to their midfield this summer with the Brighton & Hove Albion man also on their radar.

And speaking on TalkSPORT, insider Alex Crook has suggested this could be the case with Arsenal potentially launching what would be a huge double swoop this summer:

"Arsenal are still there. I wouldn't rule out Arsenal signing both Declan Rice and Caicedo because we know that Granit Xhaka is going to leave Arsenal. Midfield was an area where they looked a bit light at the end of the season anyway."

What is Arsenal's transfer budget?

According to reports, Arteta is set to be handed a £150m transfer kitty ahead of the summer window which would leave Arsenal seemingly needing to sell a number of players to fund a potential double swoop.

It has also been suggested that Brighton will be looking for a deal in the region of £80m for their Ecuadorian midfielder.

But there is the belief that Arsenal are already eyeing up a number of potential departures from the Emirates Stadium over the coming months.

Indeed, the likes of Jorginho and Granit Xhaka are two midfielders who could soon be packing their bags to join a new club over the summer.

Although that may provide Arsenal some much-needed funds if they are to pursue these two Premier League midfielders, it may not quite be enough.

Neither West Ham nor Brighton will feel pressured into allowing their star talents to depart for a cheaper fee to accommodate Arsenal's transfer budget.

This will potentially leave Arsenal with a decision to make as to whether they need to spend in the region of £180m on two midfielders or whether the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Leeds United have just been handed a huge boost in their hunt for a new manager, with Andrea Radrizzani looking to make the club as attractive as possible in preparation for a likely sale.

What's the latest Leeds manager news?

French outlet RMC Sport detail OGC Nice's interest in Graham Potter initially, before outlining a host of alternatives.

With a few English clubs vying for his signature, it is expected that the former Chelsea boss would prefer such a move, as Crystal Palace and Leicester City circle.

However, the Whites are another option touted, who could tempt the 48-year-old to Elland Road in an effort to escape the Championship at the first time of asking.

Is Graham Potter better than Marcelo Bielsa?

In snagging this progressive long-term coach, it seems like the Yorkshire club are truly serious about building a brighter and more sustainable future than the one Marcelo Bielsa conjured.

After all, despite the huge success he achieved in returning this club to the Premier League, his methods were what ultimately let him down. Stubbornly standing by a smaller group of players, he forged closer bonds but left himself wide open to an injury crisis.

Around the time of his sacking, he had been without Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips for large parts of the season, yet he retained his aggressive all-action style that was leaking goals for fun.

That year, when they narrowly avoided relegation, his side shipped 79 goals across the 38 games.

Meanwhile, Potter was quietly making a name for himself at Brighton and Hove Albion, spearheading their steady progression that has culminated in their Europa League finish in the most recent campaign.

Whilst Roberto De Zerbi will earn all the plaudits for finishing off the job, it was the Englishman who led them from a side that escaped the drop by just two points the year before his appointment.

His fluid 3-4-2-1 system allowed him to nurture his squad into a group of high-quality and versatile players, all able to play various roles well above their expected levels. This culminated in their highest-ever top-flight finish in his last full season (until this year), and when he left for Stamford Bridge, the Seagulls sat in fourth.

Such were his achievements, even the great Pep Guardiola sought to laud him, noting: "I am a big fan of Graham Potter. From the first time at Swansea, it was a joy to analyse his teams but also a concern when you play them. His players have the courage to play, they all know what to do. The first thing I would tell my players is: 'We have to be at a high level against them.'"

Although De Zerbi has since proven the following statement wrong, it was a testament to his work at progressing a club far smaller than Leeds that journalist Sam Morton spoke so highly of Potter: "It was a shame to see Cucurella and Bissouma leave Brighton but Graham Potter is the only irreplaceable asset at the club, you feel. The man is a genius."

Although he had his struggles in west London, many would argue that he was given particularly unfavourable circumstances with which to work. Perhaps a return to management where he could awake a sleeping giant under Radrizzani, could be the perfect place to rebuild his reputation and surpass Bielsa's legacy by earning promotion and a sustainable future in the top flight.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is approaching a definitive point in his tenure on Merseyside, and needs to rebuild the midfield after the club fell off their perch this season.

What's the latest on Romeo Lavia to Liverpool?

While many names are being touted, the Reds might find fruit in a bid to secure Southampton star Romeo Lavia's signature, with Football Insider reporting that Liverpool are in a 'four-way race' for the Belgium international.

Indeed, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are also eyeing a move for the 19-year-old midfielder, though interest from such outfits elsewhere could put Klopp's side in the driving seat to complete a deal.

Signing for Saints from City for £14m last summer, Lavia was subject to a £50m bid that very same window from the Blues, but with his south coast club's relegation this term, that valuation could well have depreciated.

How good is Romeo Lavia?

Liverpool have found a convincing formula in mixing lucrative acquisitions with shrewd purchases under Klopp's wing, and while acquiring Lavia's signature won't be the cheapest of deals, it certainly could end up being a monumental coup.

In one year, Pep Guardiola's Citizens unlock the option to buy their youth prospect back for £40m due to a clause inserted upon his departure, which leaves the forthcoming transfer window as the apt moment to seize the teenage talent.

Despite Southampton's relegation, Lavia has glimmered this term and impressed over his 35 appearances, with The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell hailing him as "exquisite" for his exploits.

A sturdy and reliable buffer is what Liverpool – namely Liverpool's backline – have been missing this year, and while Fabinho has been integral to Klopp's reign on Merseyside, he has not produced the same results and proclaimed to have "fallen, dramatically, off a proverbial cliff" by journalist Chris Stonadge.

He's not alone, though. The entirety of Liverpool's midfield can be held accountable across the lion's share of the season for failing to effectively protect their defence and consequently inhibiting the squad from achieving their goals.

Virgil van Dijk, so often the unwavering heart of Liverpool's imperious shield, has been displaced from his usual swagger and will be among those at the forefront of the internal demands for a return to stability, a balancing of the side's equilibrium, as he seeks to return to his position as "the best" as he was previously lauded as by Michael Owen.

And indeed, the "monster" of a talent that is Lavia – as praised by Benjt Nurick – could play a big part in this, having completed 86% of his passes, averaged 2.1 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game this term, as per Sofascore.

He also ranks among the top 4% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues for rate of blocks per 90, as per FBref, over the past year and could play an invaluable role in preventing opposing strikers from unleashing their shots at Alisson's goal.

This would only alleviate the pressure on Van Dijk and his positional confreres at Anfield, with the Reds' 47 goals shipped in the Premier League this term – far worse off than last year's joint-best record of 26 conceded strikes – diminishing and in turn opening the door of opportunity for greener pastures.

Queens Park Rangers are reportedly set to make an approach for MK Dons manager Liam Manning following the recent departure of Mark Warburton, according to the Evening Standard.

The Lowdown: Warburton leaves QPR

It was confirmed by the club at the end of April that the 59-year-old would be leaving Rangers following the conclusion of the 2021/22 Championship season upon the expiration of his contract at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

Warburton was first appointed as Hoops boss back in 2019 and in that time, went on to take charge of 150 games during his reign in west London.

Now managerless, QPR are on the hunt to find their new man, and following a fresh update, it appears as though they might have discovered their ideal candidate.

The Latest: Hoops approach expected

In a new report published by the Evening Standard, it’s claimed that Rangers are ‘particularly keen’ on MK Dons boss Manning, who has emerged as a ‘strong contender’ for the job.

The source further states that whilst the League One outfit haven’t yet received an official approach from QPR, they are ‘prepared’ for one to arrive in the immediate future.

This follows reports from talkSPORT’s Alex Crook that the ‘brilliant’ Manning is drawing ‘definite interest’.

The Verdict: Manning is impressive

The 36-year-old has enjoyed a hugely successful season with the Dons, having guided them to a third-place finish, but ended up just missing out on promotion having been beaten 2-1 on aggregate by Wycombe Wanderers in the play-off semi-final.

Manning was once hailed as having a “terrific” playing style of football by Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore, and so it’s no surprise to see the young coach attracting interest from QPR.

The Hoops have clearly studied their target’s work and been impressed by what they’ve seen, and if the club are looking to appoint someone with a track record of challenging for promotion at the top end of the table, Manning might just be the man that we’ll be seeing standing in the dugout at the start of next season.

Transfer insider Dean Jones has given an update regarding the future of Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles. 

The lowdown: Stellar servant for Newcastle

Signed from Nottingham Forest in 2014, the defender was an instant hit at Newcastle and was appointed Magpies captain two years later by then-manager Rafa Benitez.

Overall, the 28-year-old Derby-born centre-back has amassed 212 appearances for the Tyneside club across spells in the Championship and the Premier League.

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However, as a new era dawns at St James’ Park following the takeover in 2021, Lascelles is in danger of being moved on under Eddie Howe, with reports that the club would listen to offers for him.

The latest: Lascelles ‘isn’t going to fit in’

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones suggested that the former England under-21 ace may well be on the way out of Newcastle.

The journalist explained how the club could deal with their long-standing central defender, saying: “He’ll be available for transfer in the summer. The circumstances just aren’t going to suit him at this stage and Newcastle are looking to transition beyond him.

“It’s just the vision that Newcastle have right now and, from what I understand, Lascelles probably isn’t going to fit in with it.”

The verdict: Bold call

While it is apparent that Howe will look to strengthen in all departments during the upcoming transfer window, selling a mainstay such as Lascelles is a huge statement of intent from the club and the manager about the direction in which they want Newcastle to go.

The skipper was hailed as ‘absolutely superb’ by Howe for his performance against Chelsea earlier in the campaign, one of 24 appearances he has made in the league in 2021/22. According to Sofascore data, he has won 72% of his aerial duels and 63% of his overall duels in the current top-flight campaign, marking him out as an uncompromising defender.

Under contract until 2024 and holding a market value of £9.9m (Transfermarkt), Lascelles would likely fetch a reasonable fee should a move indeed be on the cards this summer.

In other news, journalist reacts to NUFC starlet’s weekend heroics

Journalist Jacque Talbot has revealed that Newcastle United have now been ‘offered’ the chance to sign Ismaila Sarr in the summer.

The Lowdown: Injury woes

Sarr has suffered from a few injury problems this season, which has seen him only manage make 21 appearances in total over all competitions.

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Watford have only managed to win 12 goals in 30 appearances and ended Liverpool’s unbeaten run.

The Latest: Newcastle ‘offered’

Taking to Twitter, Talbot revealed that the St. James’ Park faithful have now been ‘offered’ the chance to sign Sarr this summer, although the Hornets want around £40m if they are to let him go:

“Newcastle have been offered Watford’s Ismaila Sarr. Representatives met with club in London. Told his side would want about £40m. Deal makes sense but striker and centre-back (right-sided) are #nufc priority.”

The Verdict: Too expensive

Given that he currently holds a market value of £24.3m, £40m does seem a bit excessive for Sarr, especially if Watford are relegated down to the Championship.

The North East club will be cautious of the injury problems he has had, and the five goals and two assists that he has managed in the top flight so far this term (Transfermarkt) is not exactly prolific to justify the high price tag.

If they could get him for a much cheaper price, given his Premier League experience and the fact that he is only 24 years of age, it could well be a good signing for the Tyneside outfit, but at £40m they should really be looking elsewhere for now.

In other news, find out which Magpies star is now ‘close’ to returning from injury here!