Aston Villa are preparing for another season in the Champions League next season, and are ready to trigger the release clause of a Bundesliga star to bolster their squad.

Unai Emery’s side claimed a spot in the top competition in Europe by winning the Europa League final against Freiburg, while they also finished fourth in the Premier League in a fine campaign.

But the club are now preparing for the new season and are anticipating a potential change of goalkeeper being necessary amid question marks over the future of Emiliano Martinez, and a target has been identified.

Aston Villa Open Talks for Nicolas

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Aston Villa have now opened talks with Borussia Moenchengladbach over a deal to sign Moritz Nicolas.

Nicolas, who has been described as ‘exceptional’, enjoyed a phenomenal Bundesliga campaign this season with 13 clean sheets in 34 appearances, more than anyone else except for Borussia Dortmund star Gregor Kobel.

But Villa are anticipating more interest in current number one Martinez, who was heavily linked with a move to Man Utd last summer, and that has seen them begin the process to replace him.

Emery is keen to add a younger, ambitious goalkeeper to the squad to compete with him even if he stays, and Nicolas is considered to be a top target.

The 28-year-old has a £13m release clause in his contract, but Villa are understood to be willing to pay it as they consider him to be worth even more than that with his top-flight experience. It’s also noted that Nicolas is open to making the move to Villa Park, despite interest from elsewhere too.

Aston Villa Planning for Change

Aston Villa have had a terrific campaign this year, and they want to carry that momentum into next season, despite the uncertainty around several members of their first-team squad.

Martinez is one of the first names on their team sheet, and while his exit would be a big blow, it’s something they’re likely to have been preparing for for several transfer windows considering the speculation around his future.

Nicolas would be a top signing considering the fee and his experience in the top-flight, and Villa’s hierarchy are ready to make it happen.

Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko has exclusively revealed to GIVEMESPORT who his footballing idol was, and it’s a face familiar to fans at Old Trafford.

Sesko has just completed the first season of his career at the Red Devils following a £74m move from RB Leipzig last summer, where he finished the season as the club’s joint top scorer with 11 goals in all competitions, including strikes against Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, and Everton.

The 22-year-old has excited fans at the club with his high intensity and highly athletic style, and is tipped by many to become the long-term solution to the number nine position in years to come.

While speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the Slovenia international was asked about his greatest influences and footballing idols growing up, and he revealed that his main influence is a man who lit up Old Trafford during his career.

“My idol is Ibrahimovic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic,” he said. “Great player, of course. He was amazing. I looked at him a lot, but not just him.

“Just in general football, skills, goals, it was just something that I used to try to go out and copy. It could be in the summer when it’s really hot, I just wanted to get better.”

Ibrahimovic joined Man Utd on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain back in the summer of 2016, and scored a brilliant 28 goals in 46 appearances in his debut season, helping the club win the Carabao Cup and the Europa League under Jose Mourinho.

But he suffered a serious knee injury towards the end of that campaign, and while he returned to feature seven times the next campaign, the Sweden legend then departed mid-season to move to the MLS with LA Galaxy.

Sesko Reveals ‘Love’ for Cunha, Fernandes, and Mbeumo

During his exclusive interview with GMS, Sesko was also asked about his relationship with his current teammates, having joined alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha last summer.

All three players notched double digits for goals in their first season at the club, and Sesko believes the relationship they have off the pitch has contributed to their success on it.

“I think everyone has different kinds of skills that they can bring on the pitch, which is really important,” he said.

“We don’t have everyone with similarities, and it’s important in the club that they have all these skills. I think we’re all really skilled, and the quality that we brought this season, I think we can be more than happy.

“Not just that, I think we also work great as friends. It’s important to have good relationships that can bring success in the end.”

Liverpool are in talks to let another first-team star leave Anfield this summer after it was confirmed that Ibrahima Konate would be on the move, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds confirmed during the season that both Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson would leave in the summer transfer window, and it was revealed earlier this week that France international Konate would follow them after failing to agree a new contract.

Manager Arne Slot was also sacked on Saturday in a surprise move, with GMS sources understanding that Andoni Iraola is the frontrunner to replace him. But there could yet be even more exits to come on Merseyside.

Liverpool In Talks to Sell Curtis Jones

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool remain in talks with Inter Milan over a deal that could see Curtis Jones leave permanently.

The midfielder, who has been described as ‘incredible’, has emerged as a top target for the Serie A champions, after showing an initial interest in January, although a deal never materialised.

Inter were hoping to pay around €20m (£17.3m) for the 25-year-old, who is out of contract next summer, and it’s understood that Jones would be willing to make the switch to the San Siro.

An agreement is not believed to be close, with Liverpool valuing him higher, but an exit has not been ruled out as the club look to raise funds ahead of a big summer window, following their record-breaking spend last year.

Jones Exit Would Be Final Nail

There’s some big exits planned at Anfield, but losing another academy talent for a minimal fee a year after losing Trent Alexander-Arnold for nothing would be a nightmare decision.

Jones has showed his quality over recent years, and there’s no doubting that he absolutely loves Liverpool having come through their academy as a child and supported them all his life.

That type of connection is what has been missing at Anfield for a long time, and letting him leave would just further desecrate the feeling around the club. He deserves to be given a chance and a new contract, not sold to the highest bidder.