Aston Villa eye huge transfer budget boost as Man Utd move for bargain next summer signing

The summer transfer window is really heating up, with players now back at their respective clubs following the thrilling Euro 2024 tournament. The competition proved to be an insightful window into potential transfer activity, with several players catching attention thanks to their glittering performances.

Premier League teams are battling it out for blockbuster signings that will give them the biggest possible boost in the new season. Let’s dissect some of the latest headlines doing the rounds on the transfer rumour mill.

Aston Villa offered ‘huge’ bid for winger

Aston Villa have made their stance clear on keeping some key players this summer but one man they could be cashing in on is Moussa Diaby. In fact, according to Football Insider, the Villans are ‘expected to sell’ the 25-year-old, despite him only signing for the club last year.

The report claims that talks between Villa and Al-Ittihad have reached an ‘advanced stage’ and the Saudi Arabia side have tabled an offer ‘too good’ to turn down. The deal is said to be worth upwards of £45 million, which would see the West Midlands side sell the winger ‘at a profit’.

Diaby notched ten goals and nine assists in his debut campaign and boasted his impressive versatility by playing in multiple positions across the front three and even in midfield. Al-Ittihad have already poached Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté and Fabinho in the last 12 months, so they certainly have the means to lure in top talent. They were also the club interest in Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, which fell short of fruition despite their mega money attempts.

The 3AM Verdict: Villa have stressed that star forward Ollie Watkinswill not be going anywhere this summer and while Diaby has impressed in his debut season, Unai Emery and co are looking to bring in some exciting new signings to continue their upwards trajectory. Cashing in on Diaby for more than what they paid in such a short space of time is smart business towards their own personal summer spending.

Man United could beat Liverpool to another move

Manchester United fans will surely be feeling smug that they fought off hefty competition for Leny Yoro, who has now officially joined the club in a deal that could rise up to £59 million. Liverpool were among those interested in the 18-year-old but reportedly opted not to pursue the link as they thought he was set on signing for Real Madrid.

United may have the chance to beat their rivals to another summer signing as well. According to journalist Romain Collet-Gaudin, both Liverpool and United are ‘in discussions’ with the representatives of Adrien Rabiot, who is available to sign as a free agent after coming to the end of his contract with Juventus.

However, the midfielder is now ‘getting closer’ to the Red Devils and ‘prefers’ the idea of joining the Manchester side over Liverpool. Rabiot has attracted a lot of attention in recent months and despite United struggling in the Premier League last season, they are flexing their muscles with a strong lure this summer window.

The 3AM Verdict: Both United and Liverpool are looking to expand on their midfield this summer. Arne Slot is looking to put his own stamp on his inherited squad at Anfield, while Jim Ratcliffe continues to oversee a transition period at Old Trafford. United are reportedly willing to listen to offers for the majority of their first team and with the likes of Casemiro on the chopping block, they have space to bring new talent into the engine room. Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes has already admitted the Reds are in for a quiet July, followed up by a ‘crescendo’ in August, so fans don’t need to panic too much if this is another target that slips through the net.