Aston Villa are preparing for a busy summer transfer window after they secured qualification for the Champions League.
It was a phenomenal 2025/2026 season for Unai Emery’s side, who qualified for the Champions League while also winning the Europa League.
Qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition will allow Villa to shop in a different market when it comes to new additions this summer.
Emery’s side won’t want to stand still despite their impressive campaign, and with players being linked with departures, it could be a busy transfer window.
Romano: Aston Villa Eyeing Goalkeeper
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Zion Suzuki is among a list of three goalkeepers that Aston Villa are interested in ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Midlands club are reportedly eyeing the Parma goalkeeper, due to talks between Emi Martinez and Juventus.
Tottenham Hotspur are in talks to sign Savinho and Jan Paul van Hecke as their summer business shows no signs of slowing down, but they are also negotiating terms to sign another player for Roberto De Zerbi, according to TEAMtalk.
Tottenham chiefs knew that they had to make sweeping changes to their squad over the summer break following successive 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League, and the early signs are that they mean business.
Spurs might end the summer being the busiest Premier League club in the market if their early moves are anything to go by, with Andy Robertson already through the door at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on a free transfer.
Marcos Senesi is set to be announced on a similar deal after he left Bournemouth following the expiry of his contract, but the north Londoners are nowhere near being done.
De Zerbi wants to add a third new defender to his squad in Van Hecke, who he worked with during his spell as Brighton boss, which would suggest we could see a high-profile exit at the heart of the Spurs defence.
Cristian Romero looks the most likely candidate given the amount of talk there has been around his future in 2026, but the only changes won’t be restricted to defence and attack.
Tottenham Re-Negotiating Joao Palhinha Terms
via Reuters
It was a rollercoaster season-long loan spell for Joao Palhinha at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Bayern Munich man started well, and it looked as though Spurs would be activating their £26m option to sign the Portugal international on a permanent basis.
However, a mid-season dip threw that into doubt, before his rejuvenation at the end of the season under De Zerbi changed minds again, with the Italian making it clear he wanted to sign the 30-year-old on a full-time basis. He has labelled him as ‘one of the best’ players to work with.
Tottenham are in talks to renegotiate the terms of the deal with Bayern as they look to get a deal over the line, according to TEAMtalk, with the hope of agreeing a reduced fee with the Bundesliga champions.
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Joao Palhinha Wants Tottenham Move Despite Reports
via Reuters
Fabrizio Romano reported last week that despite reports from his home country that Tottenham had pulled out of the race for his signature as he was prioritising a move back to his homeland, it wasn’t actually the case.
The Italian journalist does say that Sporting Lisbon are waiting in the wings if the north Londoners can’t reach an agreement with Bayern however.
Tottenham chiefs appear to be spinning many plates at the same time right now in terms of transfers, but landing Palhinha could be one of their most important signings of the summer.
De Zerbi clearly loves the Portuguese star’s experience, and despite his deeper midfield position, Palhinha showed his character and threat in the final third with two crucial goals against Wolves and Everton during the run-in as they staved off relegation from the Premier League.
Manchester City have reportedly made a £120 million bid to sign a Manchester United target ahead of the summer transfer window, according to David Ornstein.
City are preparing to enter a new era after Pep Guardiola left the club following the conclusion of the 2025/2026 season. It’s certainly an interesting period for the Manchester club, who are so used to having Guardiola in charge.
GIVEMESPORT understands that Enzo Maresca is set to take charge of Man City, although they are yet to officially confirm his appointment.
Some clubs will be looking to get some business out of the way before the World Cup, when players’ prices often rise after strong tournaments.
It now appears that Man City are looking to do just that.
Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign the midfielder at the end of this month
Man City Bid £120m for Midfielder
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Manchester City have submitted a verbal proposal to Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson. The deal is believed to be over £120 million, but Forest wants a British record fee guaranteed, not after bonuses.
Anderson is also a target for Manchester United, but it remains to be seen whether they will make an offer.
The Nottingham Forest midfielder is currently away with England ahead of the World Cup as they prepare for their first game against Croatia next week.
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Man City Aren’t Messing Around
Elliot Anderson waves to the Nottingham Forest fans
It’s certainly a huge move for Man City to offer such a big fee for Anderson, and it remains to be seen whether United will now enter the race concretely.
It’s also a brave move from Forest to reject such an offer, but it’s admirable that they are willing to stick to their guns and wait for their desired fee.
Forest clearly know that a strong World Cup for Anderson, who has a big chance of starting for England, could see his value go through the roof, so they are happy to play the waiting game.
The Midlands club will certainly be hoping that United now submit their own offer, meaning they can drive the price up for Anderson.
With the 2026 World Cup nearly upon us, perhaps the biggest story so far has been around the treatment of players, staff and fans coming into North America. Mexico, Canada and the United States are co-hosts, but the latter nation has not been particularly welcoming.
A number of stories have broken in the last week, detailing issues for those arriving in the US. Most notably, top African referee Omar Artan was interrogated for 11 hours, held in a cell, and then sent home due to vetting concerns. He will no longer be able to officiate at the tournament.
It seems as though there is no end to these issues, with football legend and Uzbekistan manager Fabio Cannavaro the latest to suffer at the hands of the overzealous US security.
Fabio Cannavaro Questions Treatment of Uzbekistan Stars
Cannavaro won the 2006 World Cup as Italy captain, making him one of the greatest centre-backs of the modern era. He won the Ballon d’Or on the back of that success, becoming just the second defender to win the prize, after German icon Franz Beckenbauer (in 1972 and 1976).
The Italian, now 52, took charge of Uzbekistan in 2025 and will lead the country at their debut World Cup appearance. However, upon arriving in New York for their pre-tournament friendly match against the Netherlands on 8 June, his squad were met with a rather distrustful security team.
Footage quickly went viral as the Uzbekistan stars and their football legend manager were treated like criminals, as they underwent drug-sniffing dog and metal detector checks. Speaking to CGTN Sports Scene, Cannavaro has now called out the incident, noting:
“They said to me it’s the rules, but in the end the check was only for us.”
Senegal Squad Also Treated With Suspicion Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Cannavaro appeared to think that only his team were treated poorly in New York but more footage has since emerged of the Senegal being subjected to a thorough search on airport tarmac upon their arrival in the US.
The African team are based at Rutgers University in New Jersey, and it seems as though security were just as unsure about the Lions of Teranga, with midfielder Pathe Ciss, who plays his club football in Spain with Rayo Vallecano, seen having the soles of his feet scanned by a handheld metal detector.
The wary treatment of these athletes has certainly left a bad taste in the mouth for many football fans, with some questioning the wisdom of handing the United States hosting rights when their president, Donald Trump, seems so unhappy to have the world arrive at his doorstep.