Aston Villa agree deal for left back Matteo Ruggeri
Aston Villa are are set to sign Atletico Madrid left back Matteo Ruggeri, according to the Athletic.
The 24-year-old is considered to be the replacement for Lucas Digne, who is set to join Paris Saint-Germain.
Ruggeri joined Atletico last summer from Atalanta and Villa moved for him after their pursuit of Pervis Estupinan broke down.
Mike Jones10 August 2026 14:51
Coventry agree deal for Gus Hamer return
Coventry have agreed a deal with Sheffield United to re-sign midfielder Gus Hamer in a deal worth £6m plus add-ons, according to the Press Association.
The 29-year-old left the club for Bramall Lane in 2023 for £15m and has been linked with a move back to the Sky Blues following their promotion to the Premier League.
Blades boss Chris Wilder previously admitted that a deal for Hamer was likely to be agreed with just one year left on his contract in Sheffield.
Mike Jones10 August 2026 14:36
Marcus Rashford set for Manchester United return against Leeds
Marcus Rashford is set to return to Manchester United’s squad for their friendly against Leeds, Michael Carrick has confirmed.
Rashford spent last season on loan at Barcelona and has not played for United since December 2024, following another loan spell at Aston Villa.
He was granted time off following the World Cup but is now set to return alongside Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez and Matheus Cunha for the Leeds friendly.
(PA)
Mike Jones10 August 2026 14:22
Cristian Romero interested in shock Arsenal transfer
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero is interested in joining Arsenal, according to the Sunday Mirror.
The centre-back would face a furious backlash if he gets his way, but Tottenham have no interest in selling to their north London rivals.
Arsenal are in need of a centre-back after the injury to William Saliba while Romero has been in talks with Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.
William Gallas was the last player to make the switch between the rivals, while the shockwaves Sol Campbell’s infamous move from Tottenham to Arsenal still linger.
Mike Jones10 August 2026 14:09
Forest set to land Ousmane Diomande
Nottingham Forest are set to sign Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande for £34.3m, per The Athletic.
Diomande is expected to undergo a medical ahead of signing a proposed five-year contract at Forest.
Mike Jones10 August 2026 13:57
Barcelona increase Rodri offer
Barcelona are set to return with an improved offer for Rodri.
Manchester City rejected an opening bid of €45m (£38.7m) for their Ballon d’Or winner.
The 30-year-old is out of contract next summer and Real Madrid are also interested.
Sport in Spain report that Barca are set to up their bid to £51.4m.
City have already spent £116m on a midfielder this summer, paying a record sum for a British player to buy Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.
They are also interested in Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi but Lens could seek a package of around €100m for the teenager.
In-demand midfielder Rodri is due back with Manchester City this week, Enzo Maresca has said (Richard Sellers/PA) (PA Wire)
Mike Jones10 August 2026 13:45
Bruno Guimaraes reveals Declan Rice message after Arsenal move
Bruno Guimaraes and Declan Rice have been involved in a couple of clashes in recent years with meetings between Newcastle and Arsenal often heated – though Rice has moved to calm any tensions with the pair now colleagues at the Emirates Stadium.
“[Declan] Rice sent me a message: ‘Come here and please no more fights, now we’re friends’, Guimaraes revealed.
“I was happy he messaged me, but the midfield we have here, in my point of view, is one of the best in Europe.
“Everyone is an amazing player, I’m so excited to start chatting and play, and know the players very, very well, but we have an amazing midfield.”
Mike Jones10 August 2026 13:33
The question that hangs over Elliot Anderson and the £100m-midfielder movement
There have been a number of big-money midfield signings this summer, though determining the value of players who don’t necessarily contribute in the pure terms of goals and assists can be tricky.
Richard Jolly ponders an interesting market trend:
Mike Jones10 August 2026 13:20
Newcastle consider experienced Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to bolster midfield
A number of reports this past weekend have linked Newcastle with a move for Marseille midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
The former Southampton and Tottenham man possesses prior Premier League experience and, while not a direct replacement for Bruno Guimaraes or Sandro Tonali, could bolster an area now of need.
He would be a steadfast signing and would limit the damage done by losing two of Newcastle best players. Can they get this one over the line?
Mike Jones10 August 2026 13:05
Wrexham agree deal with Sunderland
Wrexham have agreed a deal worth £8m for Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.
Patterson was the first choice goalkeeper during Sunderland’s promotion winning season back to the Premier League but spent last seaosn on loan at Millwall.
The goalkeeper will undergo a medical before the move completes.
Mike Jones10 August 2026 12:50