Sports

Aston Villa Eye Surprise Move For Newcastle Ace

Published

3 months ago

May 26, 2026

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Aston Villa are basking in the glow of one of the most successful seasons in their history as they now aim to continue their progress under Unai Emery.

They were crowned Europa League winners last week and on Sunday sealed fourth place in the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Manchester City, in what was Pep Guardiola’s final game in charge at the Etihad Stadium.

Villa will have a number of players competing at the World Cup this summer before the squad gets back together for pre-season training in a couple of months’ time.

Emery will hope to have some new additions in his squad as Villa return to the Champions League after a one-season absence.

Aston Villa plot Harvey Barnes move

Harvey Barnes celebrating scoring against Manchester United

According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle United forward Harvey Barnes is among Villa’s targets this summer as they look to inject more pace into their attack.

Barnes, who is on a reported £80,000-a-week at Newcastle, joined the Magpies for £38million from Leicester City in 2023. He is described as a ‘proven creator’, with 16 goals and six assists in all competitions during the 2025/26 season. Brendan Rodgers was the man to bring him through at Leicester and called him a “really gifted player”.

Barnes, 28, is entering the prime of his career and would not come cheap. However, Newcastle have failed to qualify for any form of European football and the appeal of playing in the Champions League could influence his desire to move.

He would also be closer to his family, who are still based in the Midlands.

However, Villa themselves will still be required to sell this summer in order to bolster their recruitment funds.

They are said to be open to selling Morgan Rogers but would only listen to offers in the region of £80million as it would give them more wiggle room to sign their top targets.

Anthony Gordon future could impact Harvey Barnes

Villa could be scuppered in their attempts to sign Barnes by his Newcastle teammate Anthony Gordon.

The ex-Everton man has been strongly linked to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and if he departs for Germany, Newcastle are less likely to sanction an exit for Barnes.

Newcastle themselves face a financial balancing act this summer, heightened by their failure to qualify for Europe. A bottom-half finish will also return less Premier League prize money than hoped.

Villa will have space in their forward line for Barnes without selling Rogers. Jadon Sancho is set to depart the club at the end of his loan, with a permanent deal unlikely to be agreed for the forward. He is set to become a free agent as his Manchester United contract expires next month.

Emery Wants Him: Aston Villa Ready to Sign ‘Magic’ Premier League Star

Aston Villa are set to have an increased transfer budget this summer after winning the Europa League

Sports

Man City Fans Hail Enzo Maresca For Transforming Antoine Semenyo

Published

20 minutes ago

August 9, 2026

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Despite having only taken up his new job 41 days ago, Enzo Maresca is already being hailed for transforming a Manchester City player ‘beyond recognition’ during their 3-1 pre-season win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday afternoon.

The Cityzens are soon to start life without Pep Guardiola for the first time in almost a decade when the Premier League gets back underway for the 2026/27 season at the end of August, and it appears his successor has already been an instant hit with his management of one player in particular.

Omar Marmoush scored a brace, while Rayan Ait-Nouri also added to the flourish in the Spanish capital. However, it is another star name getting all the plaudits for how well he performed, with some even comparing him to Lionel Messi.

Enzo Maresca Praised For Transforming Ace Who Looked “Better Than Messi”

City supporters have been very quick to lay praise on January signing Antoine Semenyo, with multiple videos of his dribbling being widely circulated on social media after he assisted two goals in as many minutes at the Wanda Metropolitano. One X user remarked:

“Antoine Semenyo under Enzo Maresca might be a better dribbler than Lionel Messi, what am I watching?!”

A second added: “You guys are not ready for what Enzo Maresca is going to cook with Semenyo next season,” as a third wrote: “He looks like an absolute beast!” Meanwhile, another concluded: “What Enzo Maresca has turned Semenyo into is almost beyond recognition. At this point, he is better than Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Luis Diaz, I’m sorry.”

Playing much wider than he did under Guardiola, the Ghanaian international looks set to have another fine Premier League campaign, having already registered at least one assist in each of his side’s three pre-season friendlies so far.

Antoine Semenyo Can Somehow Find An Even Higher Gear

It’s quite ridiculous to think that people are speaking about the possibility of Semenyo finding a new gear next season. After all, he was one of the best performing Premier League players last season based on stats, contributing to 21 goals in 37 matches with both the Cityzens and Bournemouth, before his £62.5m switch in the winter.

But with Maresca a huge fan of wide formations and the key players in those areas – not forgetting his strike partner is none other than Erling Haaland – the 26-year-old might not have hit his prime yet.

That’s a worrying realisation for the rest of the country, especially as Arsenal and Liverpool struggle to find solutions on either flank heading into the new term.

Sports

Newcastle Eyeing Move to Sign ‘World-Class’ Bayern Munich Star

Published

42 minutes ago

August 9, 2026

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Newcastle United have reportedly set their sights on former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Joao Palhinha as they look to address Bruno Guimaraes’ departure.

Guimaraes left St James’ Park and joined Arsenal in a £75 million deal on Saturday, becoming the latest high-profile name to be sold. Sandro Tonali left for Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer for £100m, meaning new manager Matthias Jaissle is extremely light in the middle of the park.

The Magpies are preparing for a new era under Jaissle who replaced Eddie Howe following his shock resignation. The German coach needs at least one new midfielder and it appears the higher-ups are plotting a move for one with proven Premier League experience.

Newcastle Eyeing Joao Palhinha

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Joao Palhinha celebrates Premier League win over Aston Villa

According to Craig Hope of The Daily Mail, Newcastle are eyeing Palhinha and view him as an alternative to Pierre-Emile Hojberg. While they have held talks over a move for Hojberg, they could turn to Palhinha, who is expected to leave Bayern Munich this summer.

Palhinha spent last season on loan at Tottenham and impressed despite the Lilywhites’ relegation battle. Spurs opted against signing the Portuguese midfielder permanently and instead swooped for Tonali.

The 31-year-old’s future at Bayern is in doubt as Vincent Kompany prefers others in midfield, and this could lead to him joining a third Premier League club. Aston Villa are also interested in the former Fulham man, who has two years left on his contract at the Allianz Arena.

In the meantime, Newcastle are continuing to hold talks over a deal for Hojberg, which could cost around £13 million. While the Dane has indicated he is keen on joining Jaissle’s Magpies, there is still ‘work to do ‘, and that could lead to Palhinha arriving instead.

Sports

Dwight McNeil & Brennan Johnson

Published

1 hour ago

August 9, 2026

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Everton and Crystal Palace are progressing on a swap deal involving Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson, as Paul Joyce reveals the financial details.

McNeil came ever so close to making the move to Selhurst Park during the January transfer window of last season, but a deal fell through at the final hurdle.

Everton and Palace swap deal progress

According to reliable journalist Joyce, Everton and Crystal Palace are progressing on a swap deal involving both McNeil and Johnson in the summer transfer window.

It’s claimed that the deal would not involve any additional money and is a straight swap between the two players, with medicals potentially taking place as early as Monday.