Aston Villa have shown throughout recent transfer windows that they are very capable of diving into the market and signing players that they need for their squad.

It was reported in March that Steven Gerrard will be looking to complete a significant transfer overhaul this summer, with multiple players possibly moving in and out of the club.

With that in mind, it seems as though a big clue has emerged regarding one part of Villa’s summer plans in the transfer market.

What’s the news?

In a recent report for The Athletic, Villa journalist Gregg Evans shared some insight regarding the club’s aims for the upcoming summer transfer window and their recruitment.

He claimed that “Villa would like a third striker on board”, in addition to signing some defensive reinforcements.

Villa currently have Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings in their squad as their two main senior strikers. The duo have a combined total of 18 goals between them in the Premier League this season, making them Villa’s top two scorers in the league.

However, the Villans currently have an expected goals rate of just 43.7, which is lower than the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion, Southampton and Leeds United.

Villa fans will be buzzing

With that in mind and with Gerrard reportedly looking for another striker to join Villa’s ranks, this suggests that he either isn’t convinced by his current strike duo or just wants to add some extra depth to that area of the squad.

Either way, if Villa are able to sign a top striker this summer who can potentially overtake Watkins or Ings in the pecking order and find the net on a more regular basis, this will surely have lots of the club’s fans buzzing.

On the flip side, the Midlanders have the likes of Keinan Davis and Cameron Archer set to return to Villa Park after recent loan deals.

Should Villa end up buying a new striker during the off-season, this could well impact any chance that Archer and Davis may have at becoming regular first-team figures for Gerrard’s side next term.

Moving forward, it certainly feels as though the possibility of Villa signing a new centre-forward this summer could well have a big impact on a number of different players at the club.

In other news: Gerrard already heading for big summer disaster at AVFC over £13.5m-rated “magician”

Phil Hay has revealed that Leeds United are now targeting the signing of attacking midfielder Sonny Perkins this summer.

What’s the talk?

In a recent article for The Athletic, the Leeds United correspondent revealed that Victor Orta is continuing to pursue a number of up and coming talents in the summer transfer market, with the Spaniard having now turned his attention to West Ham United’s Sonny Perkins.

Hay goes on to state that, with the Whites’ sporting director having spent steadily on youth prospects in recent seasons, it looks as if the 43-year-old will continue in this fashion in the coming months, with the 18-year-old starlet being one of Leeds’ primary targets to strengthen their U23 squad ahead of the new season.

“The next Declan Rice”

Considering just how exciting a prospect Perkins looks to be, it is easy to understand why Orta would be keen on a move for the England U18 international this summer.

Indeed, the £720k-rated talent highly impressed for both West Ham’s U18 and U23 sides this season, scoring four goals and providing one assist over his four U18 Premier League appearances, as well as bagging ten goals and registering one assist over 20 outings in the Premier League 2.

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These returns saw the teenager earn regular call ups to David Moyes’ first-team squad, with the midfielder – who can also operate up top – making three senior appearances for the Hammers in 2021/22 – two in the Europa League and one in the Premier League.

Furthermore, the hopes of those in the know at West Ham are extremely high for Perkins, with ExWHUemployee even suggesting in October of last year that the youngster could go on to become the club’s next Declan Rice.

Regarding the future of the 18-year-old, the Irons insider said: “One player to pay attention to is a West Ham youngster called Sonny Perkins. This is someone I’ve spoken about on the podcast before as a talent, and he’s really beginning to stand out now at academy level, really getting rave reviews.

“Obviously, he’s performing on the international stage as well for his age, and he is one to keep an eye on. From what I’ve heard in the academy circles, he could be the next Declan Rice. So just keep your eye out for his progression within the next few years.”

As such, should Orta go on to get a deal over the line for the Hammers starlet this summer, it would very much appear to be yet another fantastic piece of business by the Leeds sporting director – with Perkins undoubtedly possessing the ability to make a real mark on the Whites first-team in not too distant future.

AND in other news: Journo reveals Leeds are “planning talks” with “unbelievable” talent, Marsch must act

West Bromwich Albion have seen numerous players work their way through the club’s youth academy and make names for themselves.

Players such as Chris Wood, Tyler Roberts and Kemar Roofe have all spent time in the Baggies’ youth ranks in previous years.

One current Albion youngster who could find himself in with a shout of breaking into the first team on a regular basis next season after working his way through the youth ranks is Zac Ashworth.

A product of West Brom’s academy, the 19-year-old has made 50 appearances at youth level for the Baggies across their under-18 and under-23 sides. In that time, the full-back has scored three goals and provided six assists along the way.

He has even described himself as having a “knack of scoring” goals, which could be really useful for Bruce’s side, who often struggled to find the net in the 2021/22 campaign.

After making his senior debut for the club back their FA Cup defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion in January, the teenager made an appearance in both of West Brom’s final two league games of the season. This shows that Bruce is not shy when it comes to giving young players their chance to show what they can do in the first team.

Taking into account how Taylor Gardner-Hickman was given the opportunity at that level after making 19 Championship appearances following his senior debut against Hull City in November, Ashworth could well follow in his team-mate’s footsteps once next season kicks off.

Having played in numerous positions across the defence and midfield, his versatility could also make him a very useful figure for the Baggies moving forward should they need to rely on him for whatever reason.

Also, with Bruce recently talking about the need for West Brom to have a significant overhaul to their squad during the upcoming summer transfer window, unleashing Ashworth could potentially save the club millions and give them the chance to focus on other areas of their squad to strengthen.

Having the youngster as a regular first team option next season should definitely be in Bruce’s plans for their upcoming campaign and beyond, as the benefits could be substantial.

In other news: Bruce can finally axe “desperate” WBA flop by signing 22 y/o “human highlight reel”

West Bromwich Albion will release Romaine Sawyers once his contract expires in July, according to a report from the Express & Star. 

The lowdown: Surplus to requirements

Having previously been a mainstay under Slaven Bilic, the midfielder – who was a product of the Baggies’ youth system before undergoing multiple transfers – saw a dramatic reduction in game-time in the latter half of last season with Sam Allardyce in The Hawthorns hot seat.

The 30-year-old spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Stoke, where he directly contributed to seven goals in 29 outings.

Instead of returning to Albion, though, it appears that the St Kitts & Nevis international will be free to seek pastures new and find a home elsewhere…

The latest: West Brom won’t keep Sawyers

As per the Express & Star, West Brom manager Steve Bruce has chosen not to extend Sawyers’ stay with the Baggies.

It’s claimed that there was an option to add a further 12 months to the 30-cap midfielder’s contract, but the club have decided against triggering the clause.

The report added that The Hawthorns hierarchy would ‘rather spend the money needed’ in order to keep Sawyers at the club on adding fresh faces to the squad, with Reading’s John Swift cited as a potential target.

The verdict: Bruce missing a trick

While the Baggies academy graduate has failed to pull up any trees since returning to The Hawthorns in 2019, scoring just once and providing one assist in 64 appearances, Sawyers still remains an impressive Championship operator and therefore would’ve been of use to Bruce’s ranks without the requirement of a transfer fee.

During the recently completed season, the 30-year-old – who was once hailed as an ‘unbelievable technician’ by former West Brom academy coach Jimmy Shan – earned a 6.72 Sofascore rating whilst completing 32.1 accurate passes and 0.4 successful dribbles and winning 2.3 duels per game, having made 19 Championship starts.

Sawyers may no longer be a surefire starter at a Championship club with aspirations of promotion, but Bruce may yet live to regret not retaining his services for at least another 12 months.

In other news: Sawyers isn’t the only player who looks like he’ll be exiting West Brom this summer

West Bromwich Albion failed to secure promotion back into the Premier League next season so it will now be up to Steve Bruce to put them in a better position to challenge again and now another transfer target has been linked with a move to The Hawthorns.

What’s the latest?

Football League World reported on Tuesday that West Brom were competing with Watford to secure the signature of Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff who was initially out of contract at the end of the season.

The report suggested that his current club on Tyneside had offered him a new contract with the player facing many for next season with opportunities to gain extra game time.

However, with the midfielder now signing a new contract on Wednesday afternoon, it seems unlikely a deal will be forced through.

Should a move ever occur though, they could land a big upgrade.

Better than Livermore

Bruce is no stranger to Longstaff after managing him during his days at Newcastle United so will be more than knowledgeable on how to deploy him.

Although Longstaff’s game time has been limited in the Premier League this season, he still offers more on the pitch than Jake Livermore in the glimpses he has given for this current club.

According to SofaScore, has scored one goal and contributed one assist, was successful in the majority of his dribbles (55%) and made 2.3 tackles on average per game in 24 appearances.

The Magpies midfielder scored more goals, won more ground and aerial duels combined (50%), made more tackles and has a better pass accuracy (81%) on average per game in 13 fewer appearances than Livermore at West Brom this season.

The £23k-per-week ace who was hailed “immense” by Chronicle Live journalist Charlie Bennett, was chased in January by Everton but the bid was rejected ahead of contract talks with Newcastle after the negotiations broke down when Bruce was in charge almost two years ago.

Ultimately, if Bruce could secure the signing of Longstaff it would be a major coup for West Brom and add a fresh perspective in their midfield set up.

AND in other news: In talks: West Brom on the verge of landing 1st summer signing, Bruce will love him

Journalists Toby Cudworth and Graeme Bailey of 90min have now shared a West Ham United transfer update involving Burnley forward Maxwel Cornet.

The Lowdown: Moyes steps up talks…

Hammers boss David Moyes is reportedly stepping up transfer talks as he plots a summer overhaul in east London, with the club recently confirming four exits (The Evening Standard).

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It is believed that club owners GSB will back their manager who is reportedly keen on bringing in a striker, central midfielder and left-back ‘high on the agenda’ (The Evening Standard).

However, the Premier League side are also in contention to sign Clarets star Cornet as clubs take note due to a special clause in the player’s contract.

The Latest: 90min share update…

As per 90min, Moyes and West Ham are ‘eyeing a move’ for the Ivory Coast international who is seriously in demand – with Newcastle, Brighton, Everton, Wolves, Crystal Palace, Leicester, Fulham, Arsenal and Tottenham also mentioned.

Cornet has a £17.5m release clause written into his five-year contract which became active once the Turf Moor side were relegated – prompting this huge interest.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Scoring a career total of 61 goals, Man City boss Pep Guardiola was once left blown away by Cornet having been ‘very impressed’ by his performance for Lyon against the Sky Blues.

Finishing the 2021/2022 season as Burnley’s top goal scorer with nine in the top flight, was by far their most-threatening player and also attempted the most shots at goal per 90 on average (WhoScored).

The 25-year-old still has many years ahead of him at the top level and for just £17.5m it could be a very shrewd move, leaving little wonder West Ham have joined the race.

In other news: West Ham talks now progressing to sign league standout as Moyes steps up bid, find out more here.

West Ham United are willing to sanction the sale of Issa Diop in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by ExWHUemployee, who revealed in a recent interview with The West Ham Way that, should David Moyes be able to sign a new centre-back in the off-season, the Hammers will look to offload the 25-year-old this summer.

Regarding the former France under-21 international’s future, the Irons insider said: “With regards to Issa Diop, it’s my understanding that if a decent replacement can be found then I believe the club will look to move him on.

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“It is thought he would still command a decent fee and there are a number of clubs interested including some serious interest already displayed from France, including our Europa League opponents Lyon.”

Supporters will be buzzing

Considering how poor Diop has been for West Ham this season, the news that the club will finally be looking to move him on this summer – four years after his then club-record £22m signing – in favour of a more talented recruit is sure to have left the London Stadium faithful buzzing.

Indeed, over his 13 Premier League appearances this term, the £10.8m-rated centre-back has looked extremely shaky in the heart of the West Ham backline, helping his side to keep just two clean sheets, averaging a mere 0.5 interceptions and 0.8 tackles and winning 2.4 duels per game.

These returns have seen the £67k-per-week defender, who Jack Rosser dubbed “shocking”, average a disappointing SofaScore match rating of just 6.69, ranking him as Moyes’ sixth-worst player in the English top flight.

As such, with it being abundantly clear that Diop is simply not of the standard required for a team who now look as if they will be regular challengers for a top-six finish in the Premier League, the news that there are plans to offload the 25-year-old this summer must be music to the ears of a great many of the West Ham fanbase.

AND in other news – “I have been told”: Ex drops big West Ham transfer claim, it would be a signing “like Van Dijk”

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has made it clear that he wants to stay at the club, according to senior Sky Sports reporter Tim Thornton.

The Lowdown: Man City linked with Phillips

The 26-year-old helped the Whites to remain in the Premier League on the final day of the season with a 2-1 win at Brentford. The boyhood Leeds fan would have more than likely left if the club were relegated but he has still been heavily linked with an Elland Road exit.

Manchester City reportedly have Phillips at the top of their list to replace Fernandinho and believe that the England international possesses the perfect profile to fit in at the Etihad Stadium.

The Latest: Positive update on Phillips

Sky Sports reporter Thornton shared a Leeds transfer update on Monday evening. He said that the biggest question of the summer will be if the club can keep hold of Phillips and Raphinha, stating that the former of the two has ‘made it clear he wants to stay’ at Elland Road – something you’d expect that Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta are aware of.

Phil Hay has also provided a promising update on Phillips, stating that the club are ‘quietly hopeful’ that the midfielder may sign a new deal and remain in Yorkshire for a further 12 months.

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The Verdict: Would be huge

Jesse Marsch is already very short of midfield options, so keeping hold of Phillips would be a major boost.

He has been pivotal for the Whites ever since Marcelo Bielsa took charge in 2018, going from strength to strength as he also picked up England’s 2020/21 Player of the Year award.

You’d expect that Marsch would be desperate for Phillips to stay at Leeds over the coming months and form one half of a two-man midfield in a potential 4-2-2-2 or 4-4-2 system. The early signs are quite positive and hopefully we’ll hear more on a long-awaited new deal soon.

In other news – £34m release clause: Leeds now interested in move for ‘special talent’ who Marsch loves

Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell has admitted that it would be a ‘huge’ bonus for West Ham if they manage to get Jarrod Bowen to commit his future to the club following a new contract update.

The Lowdown: Bowen’s reward

The 25-year-old first arrived at the London Stadium for an undisclosed fee from Hull City two years ago where he put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Irons, with his contract keeping him in the capital until at least 2025.

In a fresh update, it was reported by the Daily Mail earlier this week that the Hammers want to reward the forward with a new bumper deal for his outstanding displays, which according to the source, could see him double his £60k-per-week wage packet.

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The Latest: ‘Huge’ news for West Ham

When asked for his opinion on Bowen possibly being offered a new contract, Campbell gushed over his ‘brilliant’ form and claimed it is a ‘huge’ piece of news.

He told Football Insider: “It would be huge, without a shadow of a doubt.

“He has been the star performer for West Ham this season. He has produced goals, assists and performances this season.

“Listen, he torched [Oleksandr] Zinchenko at the weekend. Zinchenko did not know what had hit him. Bowen’s movement took him way beyond Zinchenko.

“He has calmness in front of goal as well. It was a brilliant performance.

“If West Ham could tie him down that team can go again next season. He is still a young man as well. He will only get better.”

The Verdict: England call up on the cards?

There’s no doubt that the winger has been one of the Premier League’s most eye-catching players this season, with 18 goals and 11 assists to his name, higher than any of his other West Ham teammates, via BBC Sport.

Bowen will be hoping that his performances have drawn the attention of England manager Gareth Southgate, who has a big decision to make over whether or not the former Tigers man will be boarding the plane to Qatar with his World Cup squad later this year.

Whatever the outcome is against Brighton for the final game of the season on Sunday afternoon, the Irons are guaranteed to qualify for the Europa Conference League at the very least, but do still have an outside chance of making the Europa League group stage should Bowen help carry them to another massive three points.

In other news… a journalist has claimed that a ‘beast’ could be about to join West Ham this summer.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with Aurelien Tchouameni over the last few weeks but are facing competition from their Champions League final opponents Real Madrid, and now a reliable source has given a significant update on the current state of play.

What’s the latest?

According to Italian journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the Monaco midfielder is prioritising a move to La Liga this summer.

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Writing in his column for Caught Offside, Romano stated that Liverpool have held talks with Tchouameni’s agent. Although nothing has been set in stone with Real Madrid, his preference is to join the Spanish club over Liverpool or Paris Saint Germain, who are also keeping an eye on the ongoing situation.

Supporters will be disappointed

There is no doubt that Tchouameni is one of the hottest midfield prospects in world football right now, especially when you consider that three of the biggest clubs in the world are chasing him with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain battling it out for his signature.

Therefore, Reds supporters will no doubt be disappointed to hear that the player prefers a move to the Spanish capital over Anfield.

It is no wonder he is a popular option for clubs looking to strengthen in the centre of the pitch, as the 22-year-old has been an monstrous presence for Monaco this season.

Tchouameni has scored three goals and contributed two assists, creating six big chances, making 2.9 interceptions and 2.5 tackles and taking 75.5 touches per game. He has also won the majority of his duels (64%) and completed most of his dribbles (73%), proving that he is an absolute nightmare for opponents to handle.

Not only has the youngster offered a consistent and reliable output in both defensive and attacking play, he also ranks first in the top five European leagues for most interceptions completed this season (101).

With that being said, signing Tchouameni would have been a major coup for Liverpool as their current like-for-like midfielders Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson are all in their 30s, and it is clear that Jurgen Klopp’s intention is to bring some youth into the squad so that the team can seamlessly transition in the years ahead.

There is still hope that the Reds could get a deal done for Tchouameni this summer as there has been no deal agreed with Real Madrid as of yet, so Klopp and FSG will need to try and find a way to attract him to Merseyside after the Champions League final this weekend.

AND in other news: Liverpool could unearth their own Heung-min Son by signing “special” £64m sensation