Ollie Watkins is on his way out and Nicolas Jackson is about to arrive but not all is straightforward in the world of Aston Villa’s transfer plans. Crystal Palace are doing their level best to hijack a move for Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordóñez and have entered into talks for the Ecuadorian. This has forced Unai Emery and friends to seek an alternative, leading them straight to Jean-Claire Todibo of West Ham, who is very much available. The Eagles are also eyeing a shock move for Marseille’s Quinten Timber, brother of Jurrien, to keep them busy as the window creaks towards closure.
There is often a good deal of denial regarding the state of Chelsea’s goalkeeping department but after Robert Sánchez’s latest blunder, they may have seen the light. A bid for Aston Villa’s second-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who has been ousted by Zion Suzuki, could be in the offing from Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, Honest Ahanor, is heading to join the Xabi Alonso revolution after an agreement was made with Atalanta for the defender.
It is never quiet at Brighton because even if they are finished recruiting for the current first team squad, they are seeking the next generation. One of the players who fits into the latter category is Deportivo Cali’s Matias Orozco. The 18-year-old is a target for the Seagulls, who would almost certainly loan him straight out to continue his education elsewhere. Another teenager on the Amex Stadium wanted list is Peterborough forward Bolu Shofowoke.
Sunderland are on the look out for more attacking flair and have a couple of options, in addition to Jack Grealish, who is interesting Aston Villa and Everton, too. First, there is Marseille’s Igor Paixão and talks have already been held with the French club regarding the winger. It is, however, sensible to considering others, so the Black Cats have also had a bit of a natter with Sporting regarding Geny Catamo, who has three assists from his first three league games in Portugal.
Everton are contemplating a move for Midjytlland’s Franculino Djú. The Guinea-Bissau international has been prolific in Denmark and has the potential to shine in the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest could be about to sell Morato, their understudy centre-back, to Roma. Forest are in the market for a right wing-back, with Dodô a potential target if a deal for Celta Vigo’s Javi Rueda collapses.
Nothing has gone too well for James Ward-Prowse since leaving Southampton in 2023, the midfielder unsuccessfully loaned out to Forest and Burnley from West Ham. He has rarely been popular with manager Nuno Espírito Santo, so it makes plenty of sense to return to St Mary’s to see out the final years of his career.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Wolves are set to sign the goalkeeper João Virginia from Sporting. We must use a search engine to find out who his agent is because Virginia keeps getting good moves despite the 26-year-old boasting 23 league appearances in his career.
