One Manchester City player is now reportedly on the verge of signing a new deal at the club, following a fresh claim from journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Guardiola delighted with Foden's resurgence
Pep Guardiola’s side host Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, acting as a good chance to pick up three more points.
One player who is back in form for City is Phil Foden, having scored in the recent wins over Manchester United and Huddersfield Town, and Guardiola is clearly happy with what he is seeing from the Englishman.
“Phil playing behind the striker is a real threat. We would have liked to score a second goal and make the substitutions before for Nico O’Reilly and Phil because they played a tough game against Arsenal three days ago. But they are young. They have good vitamins during the days, good food, good protein and yeah, now come back to Manchester to prepare [for Burnley].
“We have seen already Phil in a few games when the team play better. When every player makes his potential – but it’s not just today – the games against Arsenal, United and Napoli he was really good.”
Foden is a huge player for City moving forward, and now a new update suggests that another attacker could be committing his future to the club.
Big Man City contract claim emerges
Taking to X, Romano claimed that Manchester City winger Savinho is set to sign a contract extension at the Etihad, with an agreement reached.
While Savinho hasn’t necessarily hit the heights many expected of him when he joined City last year, this still has to be considered exciting news, given his long-term potential as a player.
It is easy to forget that the Brazilian is still only 21 years of age, and Guardiola has spoken of his admiration over the past 12 months, clearly rating him highly.
“We’re a way from what we have to be as a team, but Savinho made an incredible performance again like he did against Everton. He’s a guy who can play on both sides, today he finally scored a goal. He has an incredible ability and quality he’s proven in that period.”
The aim now for Savinho is to find more consistency and end product in his game, having only scored four goals in 52 appearances for City, but that should come with age.
Pep's own Isak: Man City must regret selling "best forward in the world"
Man City could have been even more deadly in front of goal with this star
1 ByJoe Nuttall Sep 26, 2025
He has the natural talent to be a big hit at the Etihad eventually, and hopefully, the club showing faith in him by offering him a new deal pays off in the long run.
Thomas Tuchel has surprisingly called a Manchester United wonderkid into England training despite the 18-year-old still waiting for his senior club debut. Shea Lacey has been making waves for United’s under-21s, and was given the chance to train with England’s first team following a series of standout performances.
GOAL Superstar hype around Lacey
Lacey's rise has been meteoric. After his double against Crystal Palace’s U21s, he caught the eye of both Tuchel and Ruben Amorim, with the latter even having him train occasionally with United’s first team. Already drawing comparisons with England and Manchester City star Phil Foden, Lacey has been earmarked by many as a future footballing superstar.
AdvertisementVersatile customer in attack
Lacey's versatility, which sees him shine as both a right-winger and an attacking midfielder, has given him the edge over other young hopefuls. Despite not yet making his senior United debut, Lacey’s exceptional performances in the youth ranks have made him impossible to ignore.
Rising stars get their shot at the big time
Lacey wasn’t the only surprise inclusion in England’s latest first-team session. Alongside him, 19-year-olds Lakyle Samuel and Harrison Murray-Campbell were also called up. Samuel, a defender on loan at Bromley from Manchester City, and Murray-Campbell, a Chelsea defender, were both given the chance to impress in the senior setup.
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Scouts flock to watch lacey
Lacey’s stock continues to rise as he carves out a reputation as a future star. Last week, during an impressive 2-0 win over Liverpool’s Under-21s, scouts from across the EFL and Premier League were seen flocking to the game. As soon as Lacey left the pitch, many scouts, believing the show was over, packed up and left, such was the teenager’s impact. His performances have impressed United first-team regulars like Harry Maguire, who have been left in awe after seeing Lacey’s skill up close in training. The calls for Lacey to be included in the first-team matchday squad are growing louder with each passing game.
The signing of Xavi Simons marks nearly a month-long pursuit for Tottenham Hotspur to find their James Maddison replacement.
In a World Cup year, this was set to be an important campaign for the Englishman, who was notably excluded from England’s squad at the European Championships.
More heartbreak has befallen Maddison, set to miss most of the 2025/26 campaign with an ACL injury.
Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White were the main targets but the former joined Arsenal instead and the latter was handed a shiny new contract by Mr Marinakis at Nottingham Forest.
So, Simons ended up being the man, penning terms after Spurs agreed to pay RB Leipzig £51m to attain his signature.
Yet, the Lilywhites may not be done there.
Spurs could conclude one last deal
If Spurs are to conclude any last-minute deals then it’s likely to be in attack. Dominic Solanke has picked up another injury problem while Richarlison has had his own setbacks throughout his time in the capital.
As such, going into the campaign without another forward player signed could be a recipe for disaster as far as Thomas Frank and Co are concerned.
Tottenham Hotspur managerThomasFrankcelebrates after the match
A number of players have been linked in recent days, notably Lucas Paqueta and Ademola Lookman, but the more likely name to join is Manchester City winger, Savinho.
A number of weeks ago reports emerged that stated Spurs were in talks to sign the Brazilian winger and indeed, the Lilywhites are still trying to conclude a deal worth around £69m.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
City are reluctant to sell but the 21-year-old is trying to force through a move in the remaining hours of the transfer window, having been left frustrated by his club’s stance.
Now, according to journalist Graeme Bailey, both player and club are trying to make a deal happen.
Bailey states that Spurs “love” Savinho, suggesting that a deal “is not dead in the water yet”. That’s presumably due to the player’s stance.
Indeed, the report further notes that the Brazilian is ‘keen to make the switch’, with his desire to leave a factor that could ‘yet make the deal possible’.
Why Xavi Simons would love playing alongside Savinho
The addition of Simons in the last few days is undoubtedly a landmark addition for the Lilywhites.
He will bring goals, having scored 11 times last season, and he will bring assists, registering eight in all competitions throughout 2024/25.
Games
25
Goals & assists
17
Pass accuracy
83%
Chances created
2.2
Successful dribbles
1.4
Tackles won
75%
Duels won
5.7
The Dutchman is certainly one of the best playmakers in European football and at the age of just 22, he’s only going to get better.
Combine his playmaking ability with the creativity of Savinho and you have a duel threat that could transform the fortunes of Frank’s attack.
While Spurs didn’t struggle to fashion chances against Burnley and Manchester City, scoring five goals, they really did against Bournemouth on Saturday. Spurs managed just five total shots to Andoni Iraola’s side’s 20, and they failed to carve out a single big chance.
Therefore, Simons and Savinho could work in tandem to boost the forward line. After all, they are two of the most creative players in Europe.
Last season, while the Brazilian struggled in front of goal with just three strikes, he was particularly creative.
A “superstar in the making”, in the words of Paul Merson, the 21-year-old contributed with 13 assists in all competitions. As such, he ranked among the top 13% of positionally similar players in Europe’s top five leagues for assists per 90 minutes.
He also sits inside the best 3% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons, rubberstamping his credentials as one of the most exciting wide players on the continent.
Those numbers draw similarities to the likes of Bukayo Saka and Florian Wirtz, with FBref declaring the two Premier League stars as some of the most similar players in Europe to Savinho.
That creative and progressive nature would make him a phenomenal player for Simons, a player who possesses very similar traits.
Indeed, over the last year, the former Leipzig man ranks among the best 13% of players in his position for progressive passes. With Savinho, a willing runner, and Simons, a willing creator, this feels like a match made in heaven for Spurs.
What this would open up are multiple areas of attack. Simons would have the remarkable pace of Brennan Johnson to feed and then he’d also have the more skilful nature of Kudus and Savinho to tee up.
It really does feel like Frank would be covering all bases behind the main centre forward if this occurred.
Better signing than Simons: Spurs to send bid for £35m star in coming hours
Tottenham are looking to seal one or two more signings before the end of the transfer window.
Desde 1959, o Campeonato Brasileiro teve diversos nomes e formatos de disputa. O atual é o sistema de pontos corridos, que teve início em 2003. Com isso, já são 20 temporadas e 8 campeões nesse modelo. Saiba quais clubes jamais venceram nesse esquema.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasBotafogoQual é a origem do apelido de Tiquinho, artilheiro do Botafogo?Botafogo04/08/2023
+ Confira a classificação atualizada do Campeonato Brasileiro e veja os próximos jogos
O atual líder do Brasileirão, Botafogo, é um dos times que não conquistou um título no sistema de pontos corridos. Campeão em 1968 e 1995, o Alvinegro é um dos nove times que pode dizer que já venceu o campeonato nacional, mas não de 2003 para cá, quando o sistema atual foi adotado.
OS 9 TIMES SÃO:
– Athletico – Bahia – Botafogo – Coritiba – Grêmio – Guarani – Internacional – Sport – Vasco da Gama
Entre esses 9, o Vasco é o clube com mais títulos, são 4 no total. O último deles foi em 2000, 3 anos antes da mudança para o formato vigente. Logo abaixo vem o Internacional, com 3 títulos; Botafogo, Grêmio e Bahia com 2; e Guarani, Athletico, Coritiba e Sport com 1 título cada.
The left-hander’s third first-class hundred came after Worcestershire were bowled out for 202
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Paul Walter now averages 79.25 as a makeshift opener•Getty Images
Paul Walter scored his third career first-class century to steady a listing Essex ship and help towards setting up a run chase for Worcestershire at Chelmsford.The 30-year-old left-hander has been auditioning in the first three Rothesay County Championship matches for the vacant opening spot alongside Dean Elgar when the South African returns for paternity leave at the end of the month. Walter has already accumulated 317 runs in five innings this season at an average of 79.25.His 104 from 154 balls guided Essex from 128 for 5, and a lead of just 105 at that point, to a more comfortable 211-6 when he was eventually out following a stand of 83 with Noah Thain. At the close, Essex were 233 for 6 with a lead of 210 and Thain had reach a career-best 49 not out.Worcestershire’s first-innings total of 202 was built largely on a 102-run fifth wicket partnership between the not-out overnight pair of Adam Hose and Brett D’Oliveira, who both departed for identical scores of 48 from 78 balls. Both also fell victim to Essex’s Sri Lankan debutant Kasun Rajitha, whose pace helped him finish with 4 for 52.Essex needed just six overs to wipe out the 23-run deficit as Walter and Charlie Allison built a patient first-wicket stand of 53. Allison had already creamed his brother Ben – late of Essex, now of Worcestershire – past cover point for four. But he was first out when he slashed at Matthew Waite and was caught behind. Waite doubled his wicket tally when he had Tom Westley playing an indeterminate shot and being pinned lbw.Walter combined with Jordan Cox in a big-hitting stand of 48 in seven overs that included three fours in one Tom Taylor over for Cox. However, in attempting to hammer Taylor out of the ground Cox chipped up tamely to mid-on and departed for 24 from 21 balls.Walter was particularly strong off the backfoot where he gained the majority of his 13 boundaries. There was, in addition, a powerful hook off Jacob Duffy that brooked no argument.Walter lost further partners in quick succession when Matt Critchley went for a wild swing at Eathan Brookes, who walked across to short midwicket to take the skier. And the injured Michael Pepper, again with the aid of Allison as his runner, lasted just seven balls before his off-stump was sent cartwheeling by a rampant Waite.However, he found a willing partner in Thain and the pair settled into a lively rhythm. Walter’s 13th boundary, a pull off Brookes, took him to his century from 149 balls. Walter was eventually out after four hours and 15 minutes when Taylor beat his forward lunge and upended his middle-stump.At the start of the day Hose and D’Oliveira continued to reprise their match-saving century partnership of two weeks ago at Taunton. Coming together at a perilous 22 for 4, they passed three-figures again in a 25-over stand that ended in controversy.Hose edged Rajitha and Walter claimed the catch low down at first slip. Hose refused to walk while the umpires conferred to adjudicate whether the ball had actually carried. They came down on the side of the fielder, though subsequent replays were inconclusive.D’Oliveira departed in Rajitha’s next over, pinned lbw on his crease without offering a meaningful shot. Waite kept the scoreboard clicking over at nearly a run a ball until he swatted at a short delivery from Jamie Porter and was caught behind by substitute wicketkeeper Simon Fernandes, fielding in place of Pepper.Walter took a more regulation slip catch, this time around waist-height, to dismiss Brookes off Thain. The innings was wrapped up when Snater snapped up Taylor at midwicket to give Rajitha a fourth wicket before Thain took a second wicket when Allison was caught behind.
With their woeful start in mind, Glasgow Rangers and the 49ers have reportedly turned their focus towards the transfer window and welcoming an impressive goalscorer for Russell Martin in 2026.
Martin praises "proper performance" from Rangers
It wasn’t pretty, and it wasn’t enough to get the fans back onside, but it was a start for Rangers, who secured their first win of the season in the Scottish Premiership in last-gasp fashion over Livingston. The Gers found themselves level as stoppage time arrived, only for summer signing Max Aarons to become the unexpected hero in the 94th minute and end what has been a disastrous run for Martin.
The travelling fans still took aim at Martin when the full-time whistle sounded and it’s clear that there’s still work to be done to get them back in his favour, but that didn’t stop the manager from praising his side.
The Rangers boss told reporters: “You saw some proper performances from people today. Tav was incredible. He played three different positions in the game. Drove the team forward, scored, and his reaction to the penalty miss was brilliant.”
“I’m really proud of the players. We deserved to win. The first half was the best we played all season, I think. The first half we deserved to win, played brilliantly. Some amazing football. We should have scored more goals for sure.”
Up next is another important game and an opportunity to make it back-to-back wins in a tough trip to SK Sturm Graz. After losing to Genk in their opening Europa League game last time out, Martin’s side must take something from the Austrian side.
In the meantime, as victories finally begin to arrive, the 49ers are reportedly aiming to back their manager with further arrivals in 2026.
Rangers join race to sign Lidberg
As reported by Sports Boom, the 49ers and Rangers have now joined the race to sign Isac Lidberg from Darmstadt 98. The Swede has enjoyed an excellent start to the 2 Bundesliga campaign, scoring seven goals in eight games to sit top of the goalscoring charts.
Now, when 2026 arrives, he could have a decision to make amid interest from Rangers, Burnley, Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers. In a hectic race, it’s fair to say that he won’t be short on options when the time comes.
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Lidberg’s form is no purple patch, either. The 27-year-old scored 15 goals in all competitions last season and has since taken things up a level to attract impressive interest. As a result, there will be big questions about his future in January and there’s no denying that Rangers could do with his quality.
The Gers have looked blunt going forward ever since the departure of Hamza Igamane, who they have so far failed to replace. By adding Lidberg, they’d be adding a solution to Martin’s attacking problems. To do so, however, they may have to fend off Premier League interest from Burnley.
While Ruben Amorim has already settled one debate by confirming that Altay Bayindir will start for Manchester United in the derby, there is still a decision to be made at the top end of the pitch.
With Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount sidelined, the Portuguese coach will have to configure a new-look forward line at the Etihad, with it yet to be seen whether this will mark the occasion for Benjamin Sesko’s first Premier League start.
In truth, it’s been an auspicious beginning in a United shirt for the £74m Slovenian, with four games having come and gone without a goal, having notably produced an agonising miss in the last knockings of the Carabao Cup exit at Grimsby.
While hampered by cramp in the subsequent penalty shootout, the sight of the 22-year-old taking the tenth penalty on the night did have alarm bells ringing. Amorim needed a new centre-forward to hit the ground running, but Sesko is yet to catch fire.
The Red Devils can ill-afford a Rasmus Hojlund repeat, with the young Dane – now shipped off to Napoli – having endured an injury-hit start in Manchester, while his first top-flight goal wasn’t secured until the Boxing Day thriller with Aston Villa.
Unfortunately, the ex-Atalanta man was unable to prove United’s answer to Erling Haaland, with the early signs suggesting that perhaps Sesko may not either?
How Sesko compares to Hojlund pre-United
It is far too early to be writing off United’s newest centre-forward addition, not least amid his bid to get up to speed fitness-wise, although it remains tricky to shake that nagging feeling that the Old Trafford hierarchy have repeated their prior mistake.
Indeed, £64m was splashed out on a 20-year-old Hojlund back in the summer of 2023, with the young marksman arriving after netting just ten times during his solitary campaign in Bergamo.
Formerly on the books at FC Copenhagen, the youngster’s most fruitful spell had come in Austria with Sturm Graz, with 12 goals scored in just 21 games for the Bundesliga outfit.
The parallels with Sesko are certainly evident, with the 6 foot 4 speedster making his own mark in Austrian football at both FC Liefering and Red Bull Salzburg, scoring 51 goals in 123 games combined for those two sides.
In a similar vein to Haaland, he then traded Salzburg for the Bundesliga in 2023, with 39 goals in 87 games for Leipzig proving enough to warrant United’s recent summer investment.
The comparison to Haaland – and Hojlund – as a towering young striker who has navigated Austrian and German football is clear, although the City star is undoubtedly on a different level.
Indeed, the Norwegian’s time at Salzburg yielded 29 goals in just 27 games. In Germany, meanwhile, he scored 86 times in just 89 appearances for Borussia Dortmund.
Simply a freak of a footballer, the 25-year-old now boasts 127 goals in 149 games at the Etihad, with Sesko barely even close to such a level. In truth, few players are.
That being said, Amorim may well have his own clinical killer to call upon in attack, with new man Bryan Mbeumo showcasing shades of a Haaland quality in recent times.
How Bryan Mbeumo is emulating Haaland
Haaland, across the last three years, has been a menace in the derby, scoring six times in just eight meetings with United to date.
Hopefully, Mbeumo – signed from Brentford on an initial £65m deal – can reach similar heights, having already begun to fire with two goals in his last two games for the Old Trafford outfit.
The latest strike, in the dramatic 3-2 win over Burnley, was every bit a Haaland goal, with the left-footer making space for himself inside the area, before coolly converting from Diogo Dalot’s pullback. Such composure has rarely been seen by a United forward of late.
Such a strong start to life in Manchester, represented in him claiming the club’s Player of the Month award, should be no surprise considering his exploits back in west London, with the Cameroonian speedster notching a remarkable 20 league goals for the Bees in 2024/25.
Only Haaland (22), Alexander Isak (23) and Mo Salah (29) scored more.
As noted by Sky Sports, the former Troyes speedster is actually even more of a game-changing presence than the likes of Haaland, having relished his own talismanic role under Thomas Frank.
Indeed, his 2024/25 total of 27 goals and assists contributed directly to 22 points for his side. For comparison, Haaland’s 25 goal contributions helped to seal 17 points for the Citizens.
21/22
35
4
22/23
38
9
23/24
25
9
24/25
38
20
25/26
3
1
Described as an “output machine” by content creator Ronaldo Brown, Mbeumo also outperformed his xG by 7.7 last term, indicating just what an elite, unique finisher he truly is.
While Pep Guardiola and co have had Haaland to rely on to deliver the goods in recent times, it has been a long while since United could hang their hat on a clinical attacker.
The last player to score 20 league goals for the club? Robin van Persie in 2012/13.
In Mbeumo, however, things might be about to change. If Sesko doesn’t deliver in the near future, at least Amorim can turn to his Haaland-esque, Premier League-proven option instead.
It's not Mbeumo: Man Utd sensation is now their best signing since Bruno
Manchester United conducted excellent business by landing the signature of one talent.
Chelsea have identified a Real Madrid star as one of their top targets for 2026 already, with BlueCo prepared to meet the player’s asking price, according to a new report.
Enzo Maresca’s side ranked among the Premier League’s biggest-spending teams during the summer window, splashing close to £290 million, but their array of player sales meant that Chelsea actually recorded a small profit.
The Premier League’s biggest summer spenders
Team
Spent
Received
Net Spend
Liverpool
£415,000,000
£187,000,000
£228,000,000
Chelsea
£285,000,000
£288,000,000
-£3,000,000
Arsenal
£255,000,000
£9,000,000
£246,000,000
Newcastle
£250,000,000
£152,000,000
£98,000,000
Man Utd
£216,000,000
£68,000,000
£148,000,000
Nottm Forest
£205,000,000
£107,000,000
£98,000,000
Tottenham
£181,000,000
£36,000,000
£145,000,000
Sunderland
£162,000,000
£44,000,000
£118,000,000
Man City
£152,000,000
£53,000,000
£99,000,000
West Ham
£124,000,000
£55,000,000
£69,000,000
via BBC
The west Londoners, and quite rightly so, have earned a reputation for being one of England’s most prolific selling clubs, and if Bayern Munich trigger Nicolas Jackson’s obligation to buy clause next summer, they’ll stand to earn a further £56 million on top of his record-breaking loan fee.
Interestingly, Jackson could face off against Chelsea in the Champions League this evening, with Vincent Kompany handed a dilemma over playing the Senegalese against his parent club.
Chelsea'sNicolasJacksonis pictured on the substitutes bench before the match
The 24-year-old’s potential sale would do wonders to fund Chelsea’s 2026 summer plans, and they have a few key items on the agenda already. If Maresca cannot sign a centre-back in January, it’s something they’ll reportedly visit later in the new year.
Elsewhere in the squad, a fresh claim has surfaced that Real Madrid star Eduardo Camavinga is firmly on Chelsea’s radar.
Chelsea identify Eduardo Camavinga as top target for 2026
According to reports from Spain, Chelsea are eyeing Camavinga as one of their priority signings for 2026.
Eduardo Camavinga in action for Real Madrid.
The Frenchman is yet to make a single appearance under Xabi Alonso this season after just returning from an ankle injury, but was on the bench for Real’s 2-1 win over Marseille in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Valued at around £52 million, it is believed that Chelsea are prepared to pay that price for Camavinga, and if any club were to offer it, Real would also be happy to negotiate his exit.
Would Eduardo Camavinga fit in at Chelsea?
Maresca already boasts a star-studded midfield of Enzo Fernández, Moises Caicedo, the returning Roméo Lavia and Dario Essugo — although the latter is set to be sidelined for a lengthy period after surgery.
The 22-year-old is a player of real quality when fit and available, but Camavinga’s worrying injury record comes as a real warning to BlueCo.
He made just 35 appearances in all competitions last season — missing nearly 30 games through a combination of knee, muscle and hamstring problems — and the last thing Chelsea need is an injury-prone player who’s barely available.
That being said, Camavinga has also attracted huge praise for his performances at the Bernabeu.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca wanted a centre-back in the summer transfer window, but the west Londoners could be set to finally grant his wish in January.
Chelsea's defensive struggles laid bare after 3-1 defeat to Brighton
Blues legend José Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge tonight as Chelsea take on Benfica in the Champions League, and the ‘special one’ will be well aware of just how fragile his former club look defensively right now.
Trevoh Chalobah was sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity in Chelsea’s last outing, a humbling 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton, where Fabian Hurzeler’s side made the extra man count and ran out deserved winners in the English capital.
Levi Colwill’s ACL injury, which is expected to keep him out for most of 2025/2026, has undoubtedly contributed to Chelsea’s weakness at the back, and Maresca is left with precious few options right now with Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana also injured.
Chelsea are winless in the Premier League since this time last month and have conceded 11 goals in their last five outings across all competitions, with BlueCo arguably paying the price for not signing a centre-back in the summer.
Despite being one of the division’s biggest spenders, Chelsea’s priority at the time was to bring in new attackers, with no room left to bolster Maresca’s backline.
Liverpool
£415,000,000
£187,000,000
£228,000,000
Chelsea
£285,000,000
£288,000,000
-£3,000,000
Arsenal
£255,000,000
£9,000,000
£246,000,000
Newcastle
£250,000,000
£152,000,000
£98,000,000
Man Utd
£216,000,000
£68,000,000
£148,000,000
Nottm Forest
£205,000,000
£107,000,000
£98,000,000
Tottenham
£181,000,000
£36,000,000
£145,000,000
Sunderland
£162,000,000
£44,000,000
£118,000,000
Man City
£152,000,000
£53,000,000
£99,000,000
West Ham
£124,000,000
£55,000,000
£69,000,000
via BBC
Chelsea did try to sign Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, before the Spaniard’s £50 million move to Real Madrid, and Maresca strongly suggested towards the end of the transfer window that they needed another body in that area.
Since then, reports have claimed that Chelsea could dip back into the market for a new defender mid-season, with journalist Pete O’Rourke sharing an update on this.
Chelsea and Maresca agree on "priority" signing as club work to sign centre-back
According to the reporter, in a piece for Football Insider, Chelsea and Maresca are in alignment about signing a centre-back.
Both the club and manager feel that bringing one is now a “priority” for January, with Chelsea believed to be working on defensive reinforcements for when the window reopens.
It is imperative that Chelsea back Maresca and provide the Italian with another world-class option. Tosin and Fofana’s injuries have added to his woes, as Chelsea brace to take on table-topping Liverpool this weekend with a very weakened backline.
Benoit Badiashile’s return to the fold couldn’t have come at a better time, but Chalobah will be suspended for their Stamford Bridge clash against Arne Slot’s side.
Luckily for Chelsea, the Cobham academy graduate will only serve a one-match domestic ban before returning after the international break against Nottingham Forest.
In the meantime, Chelsea’s recruitment team must get to work on finding the right profile for January, with Club Brugge starlet Joel Ordonez among BlueCo’s potential targets alongside Benfica’s Antonio Silva (Simon Phillips).
Aston Villa are on the rise under Unai Emery, with NSWE backing the manager in the transfer market. However, the club have also cashed in on a number of Villa Park stars down the years – but who is the club’s record departure?
Here is a detailed look at Villa’s most expensive sales in their history, as per Transfermarkt, with an in-depth view of the top 10.
1
Jack Grealish
£100m
Man City
2021
2
Jhon Duran
£64m
Al-Nassr
2025
3
Moussa Diaby
£50m
Al-Ittihad
2024
4
Douglas Luiz
£42.35m
Juventus
2024
5
Christian Benteke
£32.5m
Liverpool
2015
6
James Milner
£26m
Man City
2010
=7
Carney Chukwuemeka
£20m
Chelsea
2022
=7
Stewart Downing
£20m
Liverpool
2011
=7
Jaden Philogene
£20m
Ipswich Town
2025
10
Cameron Archer
£18m
Sheffield Utd
2023
11
Ashley Young
£17m
Man Utd
2011
=12
Cameron Archer
£15m
Southampton
2024
=12
Danny Ings
£15m
West Ham
2023
=12
Matt Targett
£15m
Newcastle
2022
15
Dwight Yorke
£12.6m
Man Utd
1998
16
Gareth Barry
£12m
Man City
2009
17
Diego Carlos
£10m
Fenerbahce
2025
18
Tim Iroegbunam
£9m
Everton
2024
19
Jordan Amavi
£8.9m
Marseille
2017
=20
Fabian Delph
£8m
Man City
2015
=20
Ugo Ehiogu
£8m
Middlesbrough
2000
Here's a detailed look at Aston Villa's top 10 sales… 10 Cameron Archer £18m to Sheffield Utd, 2023
The first time Aston Villa sold Cameron Archer was in 2023 to newly promoted Sheffield United. Archer had a respectable campaign at Bramall Lane which resulted in Villa activating a buy-back clause in 2024, only to sell him again months later.
The Blades shelled out £18m to sign the forward, with their subsequent relegation perhaps playing a part once Villa sensed they could get some more money for him, with play-off winners Southampton the latest beneficiary.
9 Jaden Philogene £20m to Ipswich, 2025
Jaden Philogene swapped Villa Park for Portman Road in January 2025, looking to help keep Ipswich Town in the Premier League.
The Villa academy graduate had loan spells at Stoke City, Cardiff City, and Hull City in the Championship before the club cashed in.
8 Carney Chukwuemeka £20m to Chelsea, 2022
Young midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka starred for a brief period of time in the Aston Villa first team after coming through the academy.
Chukwuemeka’s impressive performances caught the eye of Chelsea, who added the midfielder to their growing list of young signings in 2022 for £20m. However, he has already been linked with an exit without making his mark at Stamford Bridge.
7 Stewart Downing £20m to Liverpool, 2011
Stewart Downing was Martin O’Neill’s first signing of the 2009 transfer window and his time at Aston Villa was short and sweet. After two seasons, Liverpool and Kenny Dalglish took Downing to Anfield and the left-winger would spend two years with the Reds.
The Anfield side spent a reported £20m to bring the England international to Merseyside, though the fee has officially remained undisclosed.
6 James Milner £26m to Man City, 2010
Premier League icon James Milner initially joined Aston Villa on loan in 2005 as part of Newcastle’s deal to re-sign Nolberto Solano.
Milner would go on to impress at Villa Park and signed on a permanent basis three years later in 2008, making a total of 126 appearances before signing for Man City in a £26m deal in 2010, from which point he continued to carve out a successful top-flight career.
5 Christian Benteke £32.5m to Liverpool, 2015
Powerful striker Christian Benteke first made his mark in England with Aston Villa after arriving from Genk in 2012, and the Villans would make a huge profit on the Belgian three years later.
It was again Liverpool who came calling and paid an eye-catching £32.5m fee for the forward, though his transfer to Anfield didn’t work out, and he was on the move again 12 months later.
4 Douglas Luiz £42.35m to Juventus, 2024
More recently, central midfielder Douglas Luiz was sold by Aston Villa to Juventus in 2024 after spending five successful years with the club.
A transfer was reportedly worth €50m (£42.35m), with Villa soon taking Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea to the Midlands in return. Amadou Onana has since become his successor at Villa Park.
3 Moussa Diaby £50m to Al-Ittihad, 2024
Another big-money exit in 2024 to help balance the FFP books was Moussa Diaby, who moved to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad for around £50m.
The France international only spent one campaign in England, but his displays were enough for Villa to more or less break even on the fee they paid Bayer Leverkusen a year earlier.
2 Jhon Duran £64m to Al-Nassr, 2025
Jhon Duran was going from strength to strength at Villa Park when the surprise decision was made to sell the Colombia international to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in January 2025.
The forward cost Villa just £18m, so a £64m exit represented a huge profit and the chance for Duran to go and play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
1 Jack Grealish £100m to Man City, 2021
Unsurprisingly top of the list as Aston Villa’s most expensive sale is Jack Grealish, whose £100m move to Manchester City in 2021 was a British record at the time.
The attacking midfielder dazzled in claret and blue in the Championship and the Premier League and departed Villa after making more than 200 games for his boyhood club. His deal as the most expensive between British clubs has since been eclipsed by the likes of Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.