Aston Villa and Newcastle United are being linked with a move for Club Brugge star Joaquin Seys, who is attracting plenty of interest this summer. Villa are currently working on finding attacking recruits having lost Morgan Rogers this summer, and a replacement for Lucas Digne at the back, while Newcastle have plenty of work to do having been decimated by exits, including head coach Eddie Howe.

Matthias Jaissle has since been appointed, and while the Magpies have done plenty of business this summer, the quality of the players they have lost, like Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon, mean more signings likely need to be sourced.

Newcastle will also be looking ahead, and they likely already know they are going to need a replacement for Lewis Hall somewhere down the line, even if they are keeping interest from the likes of Manchester United at bay for now.

Villa and Newcastle in the race for Seys

IMAGN Images via Reuters

Newcastle and Villa are said to be among a number of clubs to have expressed an interest in Club Brugge star Seys this summer. According to SunSport, both clubs, along with Man Utd and Arsenal, are said to be interested in a deal to sign the left-back, who is still only 21 years of age.

Seys made 25 league appearances and nine more in the Champions League last season, and his performances saw him win a spot in the Belgium World Cup squad.

Club Brugge have Seys under a long-term contract, until 2029, and not wanting to sell, they are asking for £30million from any prospective buyers this summer. That is unlikely to deter Villa, as they look to replace Lucas Digne, while the Belgian would come much cheaper than Hall in Man Utd’s search for a new left-back.

Newcastle are said to be behind the other clubs in the race, which will come as no surprise, given the likes of Villa and United have a greater need at left-back. Meanwhile, it’s claimed Mikel Arteta has been given a detailed scouting report on Seys.

Seys stats from 2025/26 league campaign (WhoScored)

• Appearances: 25
• Tackles: 2.5 per game
• Interceptions: 1 per game
• Clearances: 1.9 per game
• Dribbles: 0.6 per game
• Blocks: 0.2 per game

Jaissle on new Newcastle signings

REUTERS

New Newcastle boss Jaissle says he already has plans on how to build his squad, though plenty of shopping has already been done this summer. He said upon his arrival: “I’ve been here one day. I have the squad mapped out, and I have clear ideas, but I also want to know the players. I want to give them a chance. It’s always a new challenge for the players too.

“We can wait. We for sure have the capacity to do something in the market; our sporting director is aware of that. Then, for sure, when the season starts, we’ll see new faces.”

Barcelona are preparing another bid to get closer to Manchester City’s £75million valuation of Spanish midfielder Rodri, GIVEMESPORT understands.

The Spanish giants had already bid £50million for Rodri, which was rejected by Manchester City, who will not stand in the player’s way should the two clubs reach a suitable fee in negotiations.

Barcelona are confident of agreeing a deal, as they have already agreed personal terms with Rodri, who wants to make the move, and he has declared Barcelona his favoured destination despite interest from Real Madrid.

Barcelona have already agreed terms with the Man City star

REUTERS/Daniel Becerril via Action Images

Despite their initial bid being knocked back, the Cataluyna side are optimistic in club-to-club negotiations, and they are prepared to bid higher than their opening offer to secure the Ballon d’Or winner’s signature and bring him to the Nou Camp.

Barcelona feel that the deal is progressing well, and with the side potentially having more money coming in, partly due to Ronald Araujo’s loan departure to Liverpool, a second offer to Manchester City could be the one that gets the deal done.

Barcelona to get closer to Man City valuation of Rodri

Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Speaking in his GMS newsletter, senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs said: “Manchester City would like about €75million for Rodri, but Barcelona are prepared to go higher than €50million and narrow that gulf in valuation, and they are looking to close this deal for Rodri in the coming days.

“From Barca’s perspective, they are really optimistic, not just on the player side, which is already done verbally, but club-to-club as well, so Rodri to Barcelona is progressing.”

Rodri has made 298 appearances for Manchester City since joining the side from Atlético Madrid in 2019. His time in Manchester has been a complete success, winning four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three Carabao Cups, as well as winning the Club World Cup and Champions League.

His time at the club also saw him win the Ballon d’Or in 2024 and become one of the greatest defensive midfielders of his generation. He most recently won the World Cup this summer with Spain, and he looks set to be on his way back to his home country; his time in Manchester is up, leaving at the same time as manager Pep Guardiola has, as Enzo Maresca has taken the reins at the Etihad Stadium.

Fabrizio Romano has issued an update on Real Madrid star Endrick’s situation amid reported interest from Aston Villa. Unai Emery is now said to be looking to address his attack amid a busy window so far that has seen three significant incomings and the departures of Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers.

Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes and Modou Keba Cissé have all been snapped up, and there is likely to be more as Villa look to maintain their momentum from last season, even in the absence of two of their most important players.

Real Madrid star Endrick is now being linked, with the striker potentially on the market following a busy summer at Bernabeu, and Villa have been credited with an interest.

Romano issues update on Villa’s interest in Endrick

Speaking on his YouTube show, transfer guru Romano addressed the Endrick situation. He said: “For Endrick, the next days are going to be important. On one side, Endrick wants to stay at Real Madrid. The player himself wants to stay at Real Madrid, wants to continue at Real Madrid, wants to try find a space and try be part of Jose Mourinho’s squad.

“On the other side, there are many players up front. They have Diomande now; Endrick can also play on the wing. They have Carlos Espi, new central striker like Endrick, Vinicius signed a new contract, so it’s full of players up front. And so what could happen around Endrick? My understanding is that the player will talk with his agents to understand what to do.

“He’s got a great eye for a goal, he’s incredibly fast and powerful.” – Carlo Ancelotti

“On one side, Endrick wants to stay. We have to see if they will decide, also Real Madrid, if they will decide to let Endrick go on loan. So, this will be the conversation. There are two clubs very interested in Endrick. One is Roma, the other one is Aston Villa.

“We cannot exclude more clubs to join the race if Endrick goes on loan, so we have to see what happens, but this has to start from Real Madrid and on player’s side, he wants to stay, but the conversations with his agents could be important.”

Real Madrid’s growing list of attackers

• Vinicius Jr
• Endrick
• Kyliam Mbappe
• Rodrygo
• Carlos Espí
• Brahim Diaz
• Yan Diomande

Endrick has been viewed as an exciting talent at Real Madrid, even if he has had to wait for his opportunities so far, leading to a loan spell with Lyon for the second half of last season.

“He’s a forward with attributes he’s shown off in this Copa run,” Carlo Ancelotti said back in 2025. “He’s got a great eye for a goal, he’s incredibly fast and powerful. He could use the ball better at times but he’s young and a fast learner. He could have got another goal and his shooting is quite spectacular. Endrick has shown his quality. He is a striker who, when he has opportunities in and around the box, shows the extraordinary technique that he has.”