Aston Villa are planning a push to sign a record-breaking Premier League striker this summer, as Sportsboom reports that Unai Emery is keen on adding a star who can help Ollie Watkins up front.

The Villans are preparing for a return to the Champions League, which comes with a busy schedule and a jump in quality from the Europa League that they won last season.

While there is a chance that Unai Emery could lose key players, as Morgan Rogers has been linked with an exit, the focus will be on bringing new players into the squad to strengthen further.

The midfield is a key area to consider after so many injuries there last season, but the forward line also appears to be under consideration for the summer transfer window, with an ambitious move being plotted.

Aston Villa Want Igor Thiago Move

As Aston Villa look into the striker market, Sportsboom reports that the side are interested in a move for Brentford striker Igor Thiago this summer.

It’s claimed that Emery has been keen on the Brazilian forward for some time, with a last-minute approach to sign the forward being turned down back in January.

The manager believes that Thiago would be an ideal option to complement Ollie Watkins up front, who has carried the weight of the centre-forward position for some time.

Not only would it lighten the goalscoring burden on the England international, but the skillset that the Brentford star possesses is viewed as ideal for a potential partnership.

Any deal could prove to be difficult, however, due to the Bees holding all the cards when it comes to the striker’s contract situation. Thiago signed a new contract earlier this season to reward him for his impressive form, with the new deal now taking his stay at the Gtech Stadium until 2031.

It remains to be seen whether any deal could be discussed between the two teams, though there may be other problems that come with such a move.

Aston Villa Striker Balance

A move for Thiago makes sense for many top teams, especially as the star striker broke the record for the most goals from a Brazilian in the Premier League in the past season.

His tally of 22 for the previous campaign was only bettered by Erling Haaland, while he brings plenty of energy and an ability to hold up the ball and bring others into play.

There are questions over how the balance may work between Thiago and Watkins if he joins, however, with a similar dynamic occurring between the England international and Jhon Duran a few seasons ago.

In the end, neither could co-exist in the same space, as Watkins was backed to stay and Duran ended up leaving the club for an opportunity elsewhere.

It remains to be seen how such a dynamic could work again this time around, but it would be a factor to consider with any deal.

Lewis Hamilton has provided a confused and awkward response to Kimi Antonelli and Kim Kardashian’s towel fiasco following the climax of the Monaco Grand Prix.

Antonelli, 19, became the youngest driver to win at the Principality last weekend, as he further extended his gap in the Drivers’ Championship to 66 points.

Despite the drama of Safety Cars and red flags, the teenager remained patient throughout, with Ferrari‘s Hamilton unable to apply any serious pressure. Despite not fighting for the win, it was another strong weekend for the seven-time champion, with back-to-back podiums, and now up to second in the standings.

However, despite a great Grand Prix, it was Kim Kardashian who made all the headlines, and mainly for the wrong reasons.

Kim Kardashian’s Headling-Stealing Appearance at Monaco GP

Jakub Porzycki via Reuters

The A-list celebrity attended her first race since going public with her relationship with the F1 legend, and if it wasn’t her pre-race actions going viral, it was her post-race actions.

After the podium ceremony, she was spotted taking a towel from Antonelli’s stand on the grid. Surprisingly, it’s a moment that has garnered plenty of attention, with Mercedes‘ TikTok posting a video of the Italian and teammate George Russell asking where the towel is.

Ahead of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, Hamilton was jokingly asked if he could help Antonelli look for his towel after he said he couldn’t find it during the press conference.

Lewis Hamilton Reacts to Mercedes’ Towel Video

The British driver awkwardly responded by saying: “His towel?” before adding, “I don’t really know anything about it, so… [Laughs].”

Who would have thought a towel would capture the headlines to this extent following an action-packed race around Monaco?

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Resurgence

Aside from the glitz and the glamour that comes with dating in the public eye, Hamilton remains focused on the task at hand: finding a way to constantly win races.

Hamilton is currently on 90 points, and ahead of former Mercedes teammate Russell. He’s managed three podiums already this season, with many pundits and fans impressed by how motivated he still is.

Following last weekend’s qualifying, he talked to Jenson Button about how much he enjoyed pushing the limits around a track like Monaco.

“I gave it absolutely everything. I was as close to the barriers as I could be, and what a privilege it is to be here, to be one of the 22 drivers in F1 getting to do this still. I love every second of it.”

Manchester United are ready to make their move to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United, according to Fabrizio Romano.

United are in the market for central midfielder signings this summer, with Ederson the first name through the door in a £38million deal from Atalanta.

Manager Michael Carrick wants to bring in more than one in the position, however, following the departure of Casemiro at the end of his contract and the lack of trust in Manuel Ugarte, whom United are willing to listen to offers for.

Man Utd do not want to battle Man City for Anderson

United have been linked with a number of big-name signings in midfield, with Elliot Anderson understood to be their number one priority. However, they are not willing to break the bank for the Nottingham Forest man, nor enter into a bidding war with Manchester City, who have already had a £105million bid rejected by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

That will see them look elsewhere for signings and Fernandes emerged late on in the 2025/26 season as a potential United deal. With West Ham being relegated to the Championship on the final day of the season too, it looked like one Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the United hierarchy could get done.

However, the Hammers have stuck by their £85million price tag, meaning United will have to pay up.

The Red Devils have been in talks with the player and his representatives over a move to Old Trafford for some time now, and it appears that United are ready to go to the Hammers officially with a bid to sign the 21-year-old ‘superstar’.

Man Utd ready to make their move for Fernandes

via Reuters

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “Manchester United are in official contact with the agent of the player. Manchester United have already started the conversation with the agent to start preparing a bid to West Ham, so Man United are for sure in conversations with Mateus Fernandes.”

West Ham only signed Fernandes in a £38million deal from Southampton a year ago, with the 21-year-old unwilling to play in England’s second tier after the Saints slipped through the Premier League trapdoor.

His feelings are likely to be the same this time around and according to journalist Shaun Connolly, Fernandes has made it clear that his preference is to make the move to Old Trafford this summer.

Fernandes started all but one of West Ham’s Premier League matches he was available for this season after making the move from St Mary’s, having played three times for Southampton in the Championship.