Aston Villa are being linked with a new striker in Jonathan David as Unai Emery looks to add a third frontman this summer. It has been a busy summer for the West Midlands side, who have not had the best preparation for their return to the Champions League.

Villa lost Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers to transfers, and Amadou Onana has been ruled out for much of the season after suffering a serious injury. That’s three vital players lost in one form or another, and while the likes of Johan Manzambi and Joao Gomes have been signed, more quality and depth are required.

One area that certainly needs more depth is up top, with Villa only having two frontmen at present, which includes Ollie Watkins and Tammy Abraham. A third striker will be required for a competitive Champions League and Premier League campaign.

Villa now interested in Jonathan David

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Villa are now said to be interested in a move for Juventus and Canada star David, who has struggled to make a name for himself with The Old Lady. David burst onto the scene with Lille and built up a reputation of being a top goalscorer, but after joining Juventus on a free transfer at the end of his contract in 2025, he has struggled to adjust, scoring only five goals in 35 league games.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Emery is now pushing Villa to sign David, but the club may have a problem with the player’s €6million salary, which is after tax, working out at around £115,000-per-week (£98,300) post-tax. Juventus are always seemingly willing to sell someone in their bid to keep turning over their squad, and they will reportedly look for around €30million, but it seems they are unlikely to get more than €20million, given David’s far from ideal form.

David’s last five league campaigns

• 2025/26 – Serie A – 6 goals in 35 games
• 2024/25 – Ligue 1 – 16 goals in 32 games
• 2023/24 – Ligue 1 – 19 goals in 34 games
• 2022/23 – Ligue 1 – 24 goals in 37 games
• 2021/22 – Ligue 1 – 13 goals in 37 games

David an ‘assassin’ of a striker

Former Canada boss John Herdman once described David as an ‘assassin’. He said: “Jonathan is one of those silent assassins. He’s very clued up tactically and that’s what I really enjoy about Jonathan, he really wants to get into the details of the game and understand the pressing tactics.”

“Jonathan is one of those silent assassins. He’s very clued up tactically and that’s what I really enjoy about Jonathan, he really wants to get into the details of the game and understand the pressing tactics.” – Former Canada boss, John Herdman

His former Lille boss, Bruno Genesio, added: “Scoring 101 goals speaks volumes… But it’s not just goals for me with Jona. He’s a player who plays a big part in the game and above all, a player who’s full of selflessness. He works enormously for the team. We all make an effort, but he’s the perfect example of our team at this level.”

Arsenal are now being discussed as a potential destination for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, who is on the lookout for a new club this summer. Rashford spent last season with Barcelona, scoring 14 and assisting as many, but he was not able to win a full-time deal, with Barca instead going out and signing Karim Adeyemi.

That meant Rashford returned to United, where he has been welcomed back by Michael Carrick, but still with the understanding that he will be sold if and when the right offer comes in. Rashford is on a huge wage at Old Trafford, and the Red Devils are keen to reduce their overall wage bill.

Arsenal are in need of versatile attackers

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Arsenal have not hidden their desire to sign a left-sided attacker this summer, even with Christos Tzolis replacing Leandro Trossard. The Gunners want an elite option to complete their attack, alongside Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres.

They could also do with a striker to replace Gabriel Jesus, who will almost certainly leave, with more competition potentially needed for Kai Havertz and Gyokeres.

It’s for that reason Arsenal have been keeping an eye out for wingers who can also play up front, with the likes of Julian Alvarez linked, albeit the Atletico Madrid star is more of a striker who can play wide.

Rashford is another player who can fit that mould, able to lead the line as a number nine but more commonly playing out wide, especially in recent times amid the presence of Robert Lewandowski at Barcelona.

Rashford has a £40million release clause, and it’s likely Arsenal will have to meet it if they are going to sign him from a direct Premier League rival like United.

Marcus Rashford’s last five league campaigns:

• 2025/26 LaLiga – 32 appearances / 8 goals / 9 assists
• 2024/25 Premier League – 25 appearances / 6 goals / 4 assists
• 2023/24 Premier League – 33 appearances / 7 goals / 3 assists
• 2022/23 Premier League – 35 appearances / 17 goals / 6 assists
• 2021/22 Premier League – 25 appearances / 4 goals / 2 assists

Where does Rashford fit in at Arsenal?

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The £40million question is where Rashford fits into Mikel Arteta’s plans. Would he be the guy on the left, or would he be an additional signing alongside a truly elite winger? It’s not clear Arsenal can manage both signings after spending £75million on Bruno Guimaraes, at least not while staying compliant with Profit and Sustainability rules. There would likely need to be some significant exits to pull off that kind of business.

If Rashford is to be the starting left-winger, it’s a risk. There is no guarantees he is a major upgrade on Trossard, even if he is a more dangerous player in terms of attacking talent. Rashford can be a major upgrade, but it’s no secret that he has had his problems with inconsistency, and Arteta needs a consistent player on that side of the attack. In short, there is a big upside but also a significant risk.

If Arsenal can sign him as an additional weapon on top of a left-sided elite winger, then it takes away the risk while protecting the upside.

That would make it a tremendous signing that few could complain about. It would be an absolute luxury.

But does Rashford want to be a player who is called upon here and there to make an impact? Only scenario A gives him anything close to guaranteed starting time, and that leaves Arsenal rolling the dice and hoping Rashford can carry his LaLiga form into a Premier League campaign.

Rangers have submitted a loan-to-buy offer to sign Sheffield United striker Ryan One, with talks ongoing, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.

It’s been an incredibly busy summer transfer window for Derek McInnes’ side as they aim to build a squad capable of lifting the Scottish Premiership title.

The Glasgow giants have already confirmed nine new additions so far, with more seemingly on the way.

Rangers missed out on the Scottish Premiership title after a disappointing end to the 25/26 season, seeing their Glasgow rival Celtic emerge as champions.

As a result, the jurors decided they needed to be busy in the market with their confirmed signings as follows:

• Ivor Pandur
• Vanja Dragojevic
• Olwethu Makhanya
• Daisuke Yokota
• Ross McCrorie
• Dan Neil
• Lawrence Shankland
• Cammy Devlin
• Ben Godfrey

Rangers submit loan-to-buy striker offer

According to GIVEMESPORT sources, Rangers have submitted a loan-to-buy offer to sign Sheffield United striker Ryan One in the summer transfer window.

It’s understood that the Championship Club have rejected Rangers’ offer, but talks are ongoing over a possible deal.

One spent the second half of last season on loan at Lincoln City, playing 16 times for the club in League One.

The 20-year-old forward scored five league goals for the club in what was his first loan move since starting his senior career.

One has struggled to break into the Sheffield United squad on a regular basis.

During the 2024/25 season, he did make twelve Championship appearances, but he’s failed to reach that since then.

Youssef Chermiti update

Rangers could be upping their pursuit of a new striker after it was confirmed that Youssef Chermiti has suffered a serious knee injury.

The club confirmed on Tuesday that the former Everton man had suffered an ACL injury which will keep him out for an extended period. The statement read:

Manager McInnes also confirmed that Rangers had rejected an offer for Chermiti, with reports suggesting that it was from Galatasaray.

It’s certainly unfortunate timing that Rangers rejected the bid for him to then suffer a serious injury, but they’ll be thinking about the long term with the striker.