Aston Villa 'enter fray' for bargain £8m signing as Arsenal 'getting closer' to La Liga raid
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We begin Wednesday’s Premier League transfer rumour roundup with news of Aston Villa and their apparent interest in full-back Lorenz Assignon. According to French outlet Foot Mercato, the Villans have emerged as contenders to sign the Stade Rennais defender, who spent part of last season in England on loan with Burnley.
Despite being under contract in Brittany until 2027, it is understood that Assignon has expressed a desire to seek a fresh challenge elsewhere this summer. AS Roma are said to be keen on the 24-year-old, but according to this latest update, Villa have now also ‘entered the fray’. Any prospective deal for the player would cost around £8.4 million.
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Hide AdThe 3AM Verdict: At that price, Villa could be nabbing themselves a real bargain here. Despite being relegated with Burnley last term, Assignon showed a decent amount of promise during his time at Turf Moor, and given his capability to play on the right of midfield too, he could be a versatile and affordable acquisition.
Merino nearing Arsenal move
Elsewhere, Spanish outlet Noticias de Gipuzkoa claim that Arsenal are now ‘best placed’ to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino this summer. The Spain international has been linked with the Gunners on multiple occasions in recent weeks, but the understanding now appears to be that Mikel Arteta’s men have taken a lead in the race to prise him away from his current employers.
The former Newcastle United star is under contract until 2025, but has reportedly rejected a proposed renewal offered to him by the La Liga side in order to explore other options. In that regard, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are both said to be monitoring his situation, but it is Arsenal who appear to have the edge. Indeed, it is suggested that a transfer is ‘getting closer’.
The 3AM Verdict: If this were to come to fruition, Merino could prove to be a wonderful addition to Arteta’s squad. Composed on the ball with a good range of distribution and a knack for dictating tempo, the Spaniard feels like a natural fit for the Gunners. Cost will be a factor, but if the price is right, this feels like a no-brainer.
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Hide AdToon eye Thiaw
And finally, Newcastle United are ready to send an opening bid for AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw, according to Sky Sports Italia. The German is not necessarily considered to be up for sale, but the Serie A giants could be open to offers over the coming days and weeks.
While the Magpies are yet to table a formal proposal for the 22-year-old, one is expected in the near future, with contact between the two clubs already established. The centre-back joined Milan from Schalke a couple of summers ago for a fee of around £7.4 million.
The 3AM Verdict: This feels like exactly the sort of deal that we have become accustomed to seeing Newcastle complete in recent years. Thiaw is a promising young talent with huge potential and resale value, and if he can show his full worth in the Premier League, then he could prove himself to be an investment that repays the Magpies’ faith several times over.
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