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Aston Villa are interested in signing Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah in the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

Reports over the course of the summer suggested that Dean Smith’s side were very much interested in Nketiah’s teammate Emile Smith Rowe, with Villa even putting in a couple of bids for the young playmaker.

While a deal failed to materialise for Smith Rowe, it appears that Villa are going back to the Emirates Stadium for another talented English starlet, with journalist Ekrem Konur claiming that the Midlands club are among the clubs who are keen on landing Nketiah.

He claimed that Villa and fellow Premier League clubs Brentford and Leeds United are in the queue to sign the forward, with the 22-year-old keen to leave Arsenal to get first-team football.

Could complete Dean Smith’s attack

Having signed Danny Ings from Southampton in the summer transfer window, Villa bolstered Smith’s attacking options with one of the Premier League’s most proven strikers – the England international has bagged 57 goals in 146 games in the division.

However, having let Wesley go out on loan to get some football under his belt, and with Keinan Davis ruled out through injury, it’s Villa starlet Cameron Archer who has played the role Smith’s backup striker.

While Archer has done superbly well thus far, it’s an almighty ask of a teenager to play at this level on a consistent basis if Watkins or Ings were to get injured – especially with Villa’s new two-striker setup.

In Nketiah, Villa would be getting someone who is also young, but with plenty more first-team experience, and the kind of poaching instincts off the bench from which they could benefit greatly.

Noel Whelan has previously raved about Nketiah and his style of play, saying: “He reminds me of another Jermaine Defoe and look at how well he did at West Ham. He’s very much that similar sort of player. He plays off the shoulder, very dangerous in the box. He’s a player you can’t take your eyes off because his movement’s so good.”

Adding Nketiah to the mix along with Watkins, Ings and Archer would surely complete a dream attack for Smith.

Meanwhile, Gregg Evans has dropped an Aston Villa transfer update…

اكتسح آرسنال نظيره تشيلسي برباعية نظيفة في المباراة الودية التي جمعت بينهما على ملعب كامبينج ورد في ولاية فلوريدا بالولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.

آرسنال اكتسح البلوز في ديربي لندن الذي جمع بينهما في إطار استعداداتهما للموسم الجديد.

سجل هدف التقدم للجانرز، الوافد الجديد البرازيلي جابرييل جيسوس، بطريقة رائعة في الدقيقة 15، قبل أن يعزز النتيجة مارتن أوديجارد في الدقيقة 36.

طالع أيضًا.. رئيس نابولي: برشلونة طلب كوليبالي ولم يكن لديهم أموال لضمه

في الدقيقة 66 سجل بوكايو ساكا الهدف الثالث للجانرز، واختتم لوكونجا الرباعية في الدقيقة الثانية من الوقت الضائع 92.

نجمنا المصري محمد النني دخل في الدقيقة 72 بدلًا من توماس بارتي، وارتدى شارة القيادة حتى نهاية المباراة.

هذه هي المباراة قبل الأخيرة لـ آرسنال في الاستعدادات الصيفية، قبل مواجهة إشبيلية يوم 30 من الشهر الجاري، ثم ملاقاة كريستال بالاس في أولى مباريات الموسم الجديد.

بينما تشيلسي يلاقي أودينيزي يوم 29 يوليو، قبل مواجهة إيفرتون في مباراته الأولى يوم 6 أغسطس المقبل. أهداف مباراة تشيلسي وآرسنال الودية

Aston Villa must land Liverpool starlet Curtis Jones in the January transfer window amid Alan Nixon’s recent claim.

What’s the story?

In a tweet posted just before transfer deadline day, Nixon said: “Aston Villa. Big interest in Curtis Jones at Liverpool. A bit of the Grealish about that talented lad. Might be one for next window. Not in squad yesterday…”

In response to that news, former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has suggested that Jones could be a very intriguing transfer target for Smith if the club are having a disappointing season.

He said: “It’s going to be an interesting few months, January especially. It depends how Villa do, if they do ok they might wait until the end of the season.

“If they aren’t doing as well as they want to, they will have to really push for Curtis Jones. Villa like young players and Jones is exactly that, he’s got real quality. Villa are looking to buy smart, buy young and looking to buy players with something to prove which is smart.”

He has shades of Jack Grealish

While Jack Grealish may not be Villa’s darling anymore following his big-money move to Premier League champions Manchester City, there’s no questioning that he is a massive loss on the pitch.

In Jones, Smith could get someone who has all the intangibles to bring that same level of excitement that Grealish brought to the table, while he’s already amassed more big-game experience by playing in the Champions League unlike his older counterpart.

Indeed, after Liverpool’s win over Everton in January 2020, when the teenage talent scored a stunning decisive goal, Jurgen Klopp sang the 19-year-old’s praises and tipped him to reach the big time provided that “nothing strange happens”.

He said: “It was an absolutely sensational goal, I love it. Let me speak about Curtis. Unbelievable player, Scouser, very confident, can’t wait to play in the first team. Rightly so. He is in a very good way, I’ve known him for three-and-a half years. He has made big steps, he will be a Liverpool player if nothing strange happens 100%. You sometimes forget, and we forget it in training, that he is only 18. Unbelievable.”

The Liverpool boss went so far as to dub Jones an “exceptional talent”, and that kind of praise is indicative of the kind of lofty heights Klopp expects the talented starlet to reach.

The £27m-rated ace’s ability to come up with something spectacular, like he did against Everton 20 months ago, has real shades of Grealish.

Jones steps up when the spotlight shines brightest, reserving his best performances for Liverpool last season in the Champions League. As per WhoScored, he averaged an impressive 7.37 match rating, scoring one goal and providing two assists in five games – no other Liverpool player bettered his match rating out of those who featured more than three times in the competition.

If Smith goes in for Jones in the January transfer window, they could move quickly to replacing Grealish in this team.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has confirmed a major Aston Villa boost…

Crystal Palace and Aston Villa have joined Tottenham in the race to sign Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, according to Tuttosport, cited by MondoBiancoNero.com.

And, as to be expected, a number of Palace supporters have been reacting to the update on social media.

Juventus are looking for cash offers for the USA international, with Spurs failing with a swap deal involving Tanguy Ndombele.

Tuttosport, cited by MondoBiancoNero.com, claim that Palace and Villa may have made bids for the 22-year-old, with the Italian giants looking to trim their midfield ranks in the final days of the window.

McKennie is valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt and Fabrizio Romano revealed earlier in the week that it would take an ‘important bid’ of more than €25/30m for his services.

The Eagles are after a midfielder before the end of the month, so McKennie could be an alternative option to Watford’s Will Hughes.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the recent claim on McKennie on Twitter. This is what these Palace fans had to say in reply, with one describing a possible transfer as ‘absolutely incredible’.

“Imagine”

Credit: @_joecpfc

“no way”

Credit: @biIIysoo

“This would be unreal”

Credit: @Matchday365

“would be absolutely incredible”

Credit: @CPFC_Ollie_

“If we get him it’s over”

Credit: @cpfckcl

“Loool we can dream”

Credit: @ReeceJMT

In other news: ‘On my knees’, ‘Get this done’ – Lots of CPFC fans erupt as ‘class’ transfer news emerges.

Everton enjoyed a terrific start to the season as they beat Southampton 3-1 at Goodison Park in their Premier League opener last weekend.

Adam Armstrong’s goal for Southampton saw Rafa Benitez head into his first half-time team talk with Everton with a lot to do, but whatever he said in the changing room worked wonders. The Toffees rewarded fans who backed them using a Virgin Bet bonus code as they scored three times in the second half, with Richarlison, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all getting themselves on the scoresheet.

They now travel to face Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon as Benitez attempts to make it two wins from two in charge of the club.

Kean could be a game-changer for Everton

Despite winning 3-1 against the Saints, there is at least one change Benitez should make to his starting XI against Leeds. The Spaniard has confirmed that Moise Kean is back in contention after missing out on the squad last week and the Italy international should be thrown into action against the Whites.

Of Everton’s attacking quartet against Southampton, Demarai Gray was the only player who did not achieve a SofaScore rating of 7.1 or higher. The summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen scored 6.8, with Andros Townsend (7.1), Richarlison (8.2) and Calvert-Lewin (7.8) deemed to have played better than him.

Gray created one chance and failed to register a shot on target as he had a limited impact on the Toffees’ impressive win. As per SofaScore, he only completed 14 passes and had 30 touches of the ball in total, suggesting that he struggled to influence the game from his advanced midfield position.

This is why Benitez must unleash Kean against Leeds to give him a chance to prove that he can perform to a higher level than Gray. His performances for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 last season suggest that he has the potential to be a key performer for the Blues.

Carlo Ancelotti previously described him as a “great talent” and his record in France went a long way to proving him right. Kean scored 13 goals in 22 Ligue 1 starts for PSG, averaging an impressive SofaScore rating of 6.92 for Mauricio Pochettino’s side. He also scored three goals in four Champions League starts.

This shows that the £49k-per-week beast has the quality to score goals at the very top level, which also means that he could have the ability to change games for Everton. Goals win games, and if he is able to translate his form from Ligue 1 over to England, his goals could help Benitez win more matches with the club, potentially starting with Leeds on Saturday.

He is also capable of playing across the forward line, which means that Benitez could employ a fluid system. Kean and Richarlison could drift in and out of the left flank and confuse their markers with their movement off the ball.

It’s time to give the potentially game-changing 21-year-old his place in the Toffees’ line-up.

AND in other news, Moshiri now preparing £25.7m Everton swoop for “formidable” wizard, fans will love it…

This summer has not been ideal preparation ahead of the new campaign for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Wolves have been severely impeded by a lack of finances available to them during the transfer window and consequently, they’ve not been too active in the market.

On the chalkboard

This summer could have been a lot different for the Old Gold, particularly from a negative point of view. They began the market searching for possible replacements for Adama Traore and Ruben Neves, who both looked certain to leave.

However, they’ve kept the pair of them at Molineux, which is vitally important if Bruno Lage wants to guide Wolves back into the top half of the table.

The returning Raul Jimenez will help them no end but one player who could inject a new sense of purpose to the team is Francisco Trincao.

With Pedro Neto still out injured while he recovers from a broken kneecap, the Portuguese sensation on loan from Barcelona could help supporters forget all about their Player of the Season from 2020/21.

The 21-year-old loanee is technically astute, quick and an incredibly tricky player for opponents to handle. Although he only started three times in La Liga last season, his form during a more productive loan spell at Braga tells you everything you need to know.

The winger racked up eight goals and six assists for the Portuguese club in 2019/20, numbers which would have usurped every player at Molineux last season.

Like Traore and Neto, he is a wonderful dribbler of the ball, completing as many as 2.3 per game during that temporary stint away.

If he can replicate those types of numbers while in England, Wolves’ fortunes in the attacking third should improve greatly. The following review from former Braga academy coach Jose Carvalho Araujo explains why Trincao could terrify Leicester on Saturday.

“He is not so fast or intense but I think he has a little more magic,” Araujo began.

“He was an amazing kid, very skinny. Physically, he was very poor but with the ball he was magic, doing tricks, so skilful.”

Although Trincao didn’t score or provide an assist in pre-season, he is a player who could set the Premier League alight this term.

Lage needs to harness the £22.5k-per-week attacker’s remarkable talent from the off against Leicester at the weekend.

AND in other news, “I understand” – Liam Keen issues Wolves transfer update which should leave fans aghast…

Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden could be perfect for Southampton, Carlton Palmer has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern.

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has made it clear he is looking for a new midfielder and Hayden seems to be one that is on his list.

According to The Sun, the south coast club are targeting the 26-year-old in a deal that could cost £10m.

Hayden would bring some bite to Southampton’s midfield, with the Englishman posting some pretty good defensive numbers last season.

As per WhoScored, he averaged 2.2 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per game in the 2020/21 Premier League campaign, leaving him at the top of those two categories in Newcastle’s squad.

On Southampton’s reported interest in Hayden, Palmer told TT:

“Perfect, perfect. He’ll fit into their budget in terms of what they can afford, he is experienced and he can play at that level.”

Given the Saints’ need for more bodies in midfield, Hayden looks a no-brainer, especially at £10m.

Indeed, if they can get a deal done, it could be very good business. Retaining what they already have will also be important this transfer window, though.

Aston Villa have, of course, targeted James Ward-Prowse but have so far failed in their pursuit of the player.

A round-up of the County Championship action on July 24, 2008

Cricinfo staff24-Jul-2008Hampshire’s match against Lancashire is intriguingly poised going into the final day at Old Trafford, with the hosts leading by 190 but with only three second-innings wickets in hand. Hampshire were bowled out for 288 in their first dig, with Dominic Cork trapping Michael Brown lbw before Nic Pothas edged him to second slip. Cork later took a fine, diving catch at mid-off to remove Chris Tremlett, but after bowling Hampshire out mid-afternoon, Lancashire’s promise with the ball failed to materialise with the bat. In the blink of an eye, they slipped to 54 for 4, but Francois du Plessis played a dogged hand of 31 to steady Lancashire. On a tricky pitch, a score of around 230 could really test Hampshire, and the fourth day looks to be a fascinating duel.For John Ward’s report of the third day between Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire at Trent Bridge click here.Leicestershire’s captain, Paul Nixon, frustrated Northamptonshire with a fighting 73 on the third day at Northampton, but the home side stuck to their task and completed an emphatic eight-wicket win shortly before stumps. Following on, Leicestershire began the day on 8 for 1, and it appeared Northamptonshire were walking to victory when Nicky Boje had Tom new caught for 11 and Jacques du Toit dismissed for just 2. Once Boeta Dippenaar fell for 15, Leicestershire had slipped to 92 for 6, still trailing by 108. But Nixon refused to be so easily beaten, and found excellent support in Tom Smith, the 22-year-old, who lasted 89 minutes for a courageous 31. The pair put on 66 for the eighth wicket and, after passing his fifty from 92 balls, Nixon edged Leicestershire past the 200 mark to ensure Northamptonshire would have to bat again. However, he fell to the impressive David Lucas, top-edging him to fine-leg, as Leicestershire set Northamptonshire a facile 27. Though they lost Niall O’Brien and Stephen Peters, David Sales and Robert White eased them home.Worcestershire romped to a bruising 10-wicket win over Middlesex, inside three days at Lord’s. The hosts trailed by 61 in their second innings, and experimented by opening with Ed Joyce. It failed miserably, as Joyce edged Kabir Ali behind for a third-ball duck. Ali, who bowled beautifully, then removed Nick Compton before deflecting a firmly-struck drive by Owais Shah to run out the unfortunate non-striker, Eoin Morgan. When Shah fell, Middlesex were 24 for 4 but Dawid Malan – their up-and-coming left-hander – cracked 52 while Ben Scott made 58, in a spirited stand of 113 in 25 overs. And then Gareth Batty took over, ripping out five wickets in 34 balls, with a combination of sharp spin and clueless Middlesex batting. Worcestershire were set 105 to win, and Stephen Moore (55 from 56) and Daryl Mitchell (48) powered them home in just 17 overs.Essex are on the brink of a thumping win over Gloucestershire after dismissing the visitors for 184 on the third day at Chelmsford. Gloucestershire, who resumed on 70 for 6, didn’t fold submissively however, as Steve Snell dropped anchor with 53 from 164 balls. There was little of any substance from the lower-order, and Danish Kaneria mopped up the tail to register 5 for 53 from 32.3 probing overs. Gloucestershire had set Essex a facile 181 to win, but the home side lost Varun Chopra and Jason Gallian to set the nerves jangling, before Neil Dexter (60*) and Ravi Bopara (83*) put them back on course with an unbeaten third-wicket stand of 143. With a full day tomorrow and the forecast balmy, Essex only need 31 to record their fourth win of the season and leapfrog Middlesex.

Celtic target Jean-Kevin Augustin was more highly regarded than Odsonne Edouard and Moussa Dembele when the trio were younger, French football expert Adam White has told The Transfer Tavern.

Augustin is currently being linked with a move to Celtic, with French outlet Homme du Match recently claiming that the Glasgow club are interested in signing the Nantes striker this summer.

Meanwhile, Edouard is, of course, currently at Celtic, while Dembele finds himself at Lyon following a successful two-year spell with the Bhoys between 2016-2018.

The trio, all French, are around the same age. And, according to White, it was Augustin who French football once had the highest hopes for.

“I think in terms of talent, Augustin was perhaps out of those three players, when he was younger, the most highly regarded,” the Get French Football News writer said.

Things, however, have not quite gone to plan for the 24-year-old. For example, during a loan spell with Leeds United in the Championship, he played just three times and failed to score a single goal.

Augustin has also had his struggles at Nantes, though that has been partly down to him having long Covid-19, so he should be given more time there. But if both parties do decide it is best for them to go their separate ways, then perhaps he could revive his career at a club like Celtic.

A despondent skipper Sanath Jayasuriya labeled his team’s performance as "unacceptable" as Sri Lanka slumped to a humiliating 177 run defeat against South Africa at SuperSport Park on Friday night."It was a very disappointing performance today," said Jayasuriya. "Everything was poor: the batting, bowling and fielding."With Sri Lanka asked to chase a mammoth 317 for victory after a lackluster performance with the ball the odds were always stacked against the visitors.But Jayasuriya believed such a Herculean task was achievable on a pitch that had favoured the batsmen all day."After the first innings we didn’t panic because we knew that score could be chased on this ground," said Jayasuriya."But someone had to go and get a hundred. I was batting well, but got out in the 40’s. That’s inexcusable, you cannot afford to get out once set."But Jayasuriya was not the only batsmen to fail as the Sri Lankans were bowled out for a paltry 140, their second consecutive score of under 150."I wouldn’t have minded so much if we had been bowled out for 250 or 275, but to get bowled out for 140 is unacceptable – the wicket was not bad."South Africa captain emphasized with his counterpart."It is always difficult when you are chasing a big target," said Pollock. "What often happens is that you either get really close or you lose a lot of wickets up front and the game peters out to an easy victory."Jayasuriya was equally scathing on the bowlers: "They kept wickets in hand and we bowled both sides of the wicket. We simply weren’t disciplined enough today.""We now have to lift ourselves and play more disciplined cricket," he added. "We have to do the basics well like South Africa are doing at the moment."Pollock praised his batsmen: "To get 300 you really have to bat well.""Batting is an area that we have identified as a problem and it’s great to see the guys rectify it."Partnerships were vital. Graeme (Smith) and Boeta dug in and gave us a good platform to allow Jacques (Kallis) to come in bat and play with freedom."