Aston Villa are kickstarting their summer business by submitting a bid for a winger in the transfer market, with an initial approach turned down.

The move comes as Unai Emery looks to move from strength to strength with his side, having won the Europa League on top of already securing Champions League qualification for next season.

While some questioned whether that may be the pinnacle of the Spaniard’s time at Villa Park, he has been clear that his ambitions must be met with further moves in the transfer market to strengthen the team.

An increase in overall quality and depth will be needed at Aston Villa, especially in the forward areas, where new options could inject some energy into the team, leading to an initial offer being made for a transfer target.

Aston Villa’s Baturina Offer

According to a report from Gazzetta dello Sport’s print edition, via Sport Witness, Aston Villa have lodged an offer for Como winger Martin Baturina.

The report claims that a bid in the region of €50-55 million (£43.1-47.5 million) was made, but swiftly turned down by the Serie A club in the market.

It is stated that an €80 million (£69.1 million) valuation has been placed on the forward, as Aston Villa are joined by Bayern Munich and an unnamed Premier League club in the race to sign him.

The 23-year-old impressed during the previous campaign, picking up eight goals and four assists, with his performances often catching the eye, even if he wasn’t always getting the output in the final third.

Any deal could prove tough to do, considering that Como qualified for the Champions League after an impressive season under Cesc Fabregas in Serie A.

It means that only exceptional offers will be considered, while the club looks at the options who can strengthen them, rather than weaken them in the market.

For Aston Villa, it means there may be work to do if they want to convince both Como and Baturina that a deal can be possible.

World Cup Dilemma

Aston Villa’s interest in Baturina is complicated by both Como trying to keep the player at a higher valuation and the interest coming from elsewhere in the market.

Those factors are heightened when the upcoming World Cup is considered, with the winger set to star for Croatia in the tournament this summer.

Players can often announce themselves on such a stage, which may make it tougher for Villa to secure a deal if either his valuation increases further, or other clubs join the mix.

The 23-year-old has already featured in two friendlies for Croatia before the tournament has begun, receiving praise from manager Zlatko Dalic in the process.

“He [Baturina] was good and very committed,” the head coach said after defeat to Belgium. “He showed he’s in good form. He finished the season brilliantly in Italy and today he was really very good. He won several balls, created overloads, and was our most dangerous attacking player.”

If that could translate to being dangerous for Aston Villa, then the club would be on a solid path to landing a promising player for the future.

But for now, they may have to play the waiting game or look elsewhere if they want value and a quick answer on a star’s future.

Tottenham are advancing on a £60m deal to sign Manchester City star Savinho alongside Jan Paul van Hecke, according to the Daily Mail.

The north London club are in ongoing negotiations with a number of players to secure transfers, after Roberto De Zerbi secured the club’s survival in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Everton on the final day of the season.

Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi have already arrived at Spurs to begin a new era at the club, and now the club are advancing on a deal to bring in a third signing before the window has even officially opened.

Tottenham Advance on Savinho Deal

Savinho, who has been described as ‘extraordinary’ by Pep Guardiola, was on the verge of a move to Spurs last summer only for the City board to block the move and hand him a new contract instead.

But the Brazilian still barely featured in the 2025/26 season, making 46 appearances across all competitions, but restricted to just 14 starts, where he registered four goals and two assists. Now, he is pushing to make a move away from the Etihad Stadium, and Spurs are ready to make another move.

According to Simon Jones, Spurs are advancing on a £60m deal for the Brazil international, with talks ongoing over the payment terms to get a move done, including add-ons and bonuses.

The 22-year-old wants to join the club, and is someone who could become part of the squad in the coming weeks alongside Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke. The Netherlands international has already agreed personal terms over a move, however, Brighton are playing hardball and have rejected two offers so far, despite the player being in the final year of his contract.

When Tottenham appointed De Zerbi back in April, their plan was to build a long-term vision with the Italian. Him keeping the team in the Premier League was a much-needed boost, and now they are seemingly making good on their promise to strengthen the squad for him.

Robertson and Senesi are solid arrivals in defence, while van Hecke would also be a statement signing considering the competition for his signature. But the attack needs reinforcements too, having lost Randal Kolo Muani after his loan expired, and with the likes of Richarlison, Mathys Tel, and Dejan Kulusevski’s futures all unclear.

Savinho would be an exciting signing for Spurs fans, and he would have great potential to step into the squad, develop, and help the club get back where they feel they belong.

According to reports, a FIFA referee, who was set to officiate at the 2026 World Cup, has been turned away upon arriving in the United States.

There is so much excitement about what the tournament, which will also be hosted by Canada and Mexico, could hold this summer. However, there have long been concerns about logistics for fans, staff and players coming into the US. With a number of nations on Donald Trump’s travel ban list, many predicted issues to arise, and this has already been the case.

Iraqi World Cup striker, Aymen Hussein, was held and questioned for nearly seven ​hours at Chicago’s O’Hare airport after arriving with the squad, while Iran have seen visa applications rejected for a number of their staff. Fans of nations, including Scotland, have seen travel permits denied late on, and now an official FIFA referee has been sent packing.

2026 World Cup Referee Denied Entry in the United States

The news was broken by Romain Molina, a journalist who has worked with The Guardian, The New York Times, and the BBC. He revealed that highly-regarded Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the US. Taking to social media, he explained:

He went on to add: “This was insufficient for the American authorities, who immediately sent him back… As a reminder, Artan officiated last year’s Champions League final second leg between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns and was named CAF’s African Referee of the Year for 2025.”

African journalist Micky Jnr has since added that no clear explanation has yet been provided for why the referee was turned away and sent back to Turkiye. He wrote:

“He travelled from Kenya, transited through Turkey and eventually arrived in the United States. But upon arrival, he was denied entry by immigration authorities and sent back to Turkey. No clear explanation has been provided.”

Omar Abdulkadir Artan Had Been Granted Visa Ahead of World Cup

As mentioned by Molina, Abdulkadir Artan had issues getting an initial visa. However, the problem appeared to be resolved. With Kenyan outlet The Eastleigh Voice reporting just days ago that the referee has ‘secured his United States visa’, clearing the final administrative hurdle that had placed uncertainty over his participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A FIFA representative had confirmed the development, speaking on condition of anonymity, they told the Eastleigh Voice: “I can confirm that the visa issues have been fully resolved and he will now be available to officiate at the FIFA World Cup.”

Having become a FIFA-listed referee in 2018, he was set to make history as the first Somali official appointed to a World Cup. However, after being turned away at the border, it remains unclear if Abdulkadir Artan will now officiate at the tournament.

The referee, regarded as ‘one of the best on the African continent’, became the first Somali to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations, overseeing the group-stage fixture between Tunisia and Namibia in 2024. He was then named CAF’s African Referee of the Year for 2025.