Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario and Aston Villa’s Emi Martínez have not had an easy last few months at their clubs.

sports witness Italy’s interest in the Azzurri goalkeeper has been covered. Inter Milan and Juventus are admirers of his profile and initial contact has also been suggested.

In January, Martínez was Joined together The Nerazzurri appeared keen on a move to Serie A, even though a deal never materialized when the cost became apparent.

It now appears that the Tottenham player’s future could be linked to the Aston Villa veteran.

Martínez as substitute for Vicario

IT migration market Report on Inter’s plans to replace Yann Sommer in the summer.

He believes the Tottenham goalkeeper appeals to CEO Beppe Marotta. There has been some progress with their squad but the real problem is their age and evaluation profile.

They don’t want to go over €25 million to sign him, Spurs could demand more than that. Inter believe this could be enough for the 29-year-old player.

That’s why Marotta will soon be asking permission from the club’s Oaktree ownership.

Meanwhile, Martínez is being looked at as an option. The outlet says the Argentinian goalkeeper was offered to the Italian giants in January and was the reason behind the link during the winter window.

The only problem for the World Cup winner is his age and Aston Villa will not let him depart for free in the summer. His contract at Villa Park expires in 2029, meaning a deal would cost some money, with Martínez’s wages at €3m a year – possibly after tax – also causing concern.

Our opinion on Vicario and Martínez

Both goalkeepers are nearing the end of their tenures at their respective clubs.

Vicario will clearly have more suitors in Italy, as he performed quite well during his time at Empoli. Furthermore, he is close to becoming the Azzurri’s back-up to Gianluigi Donnarumma and that helps his situation.

Martínez is older and, at 33, a new challenge in Serie A, especially on higher wages, could prove risky for contenders.

Parma’s Mandela Keita is on the radar of Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.

is according to TuttoMercatoWebWho covers the latest on Tottenham, Aston Villa, Brighton and Brentford.

Spurs have been keeping a close eye on the midfielder in recent months. sports witness broadcast news In December, Tottenham sent a scout to watch him in live action.

Last month, we Covered claims from Italy That ‘the Premier League is waiting for them’ and North London clubs and Aston Villa have been named as suitors.

Brighton and Brentford have now joined Tottenham and Unai Emery’s side in the pursuit of the 23-year-old.

Last weekend, the Belgium international played the full 90 minutes in the Serie A team’s goalless draw against Fiorentina. The defensive midfielder performed brilliantly against La Viola and his form this season is attracting interest from Italy and England.

Mandela Keita seems to be increasingly interested

TMW, who make it clear that this is their own information, claim that Bologna have been keeping an eye on Keita for a long time. Their sporting director, Giovanni Sartori, appears to be leading the charge.

The report adds that officials from the Premier League sides were in attendance at Fiorentina’s home stadium at the weekend. TMW have tagged Tottenham, Aston Villa, Brighton and Brentford, without specifying whether scouts from these clubs had seen Keita.

Inter Milan is another Italian club that has had Belgium on its agenda for some time but has not made a move.

TMW’s headline states that Premier League and Serie A teams are ‘in line’ for Keita. It is probably too early to indicate whether Spurs, Aston Villa, Brighton or Brentford will move to sign him in the summer.

‘He will be a major player in the transfer market,’ the outlet said. This suggests that Keita may change clubs after this season.

Keita’s contract and price

Parma signed him from Royal Antwerp in August 2024 and he played 2,063 minutes in 32 matches last season.

His game time has already improved this season as Keita has played 2,375 minutes in 30 matches so far.

The Belgian has a contract until 2029 transfer market He is worth €12m. His highest value was €13m in April 2024. The price will most likely rise if there is a bidding war for his signature in the summer.

Mandela Keita is represented by the World in Motion agency, which has a number of clients in English football.

Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez has received support from Liverpool’s Alexis McAllister and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez as he works on his recovery.

The Argentina international defender speaks to D Sports. TYC Sports The Liverpool star and Aston Villa goalkeeper commented on the effort.

Lisandro has suffered two serious setbacks since joining Manchester United from Ajax in July 2022.

He last played in February 2025 as the 28-year-old suffered a torn cruciate ligament. He had surgery and was sidelined for 10 months.

The centre-back recently said he was considering ending his playing career after suffering his last serious setback.

Liverpool and Aston Villa stars support

Lisandro has played alongside the Liverpool midfielder and Aston Villa star for the national team for several years. All three were part of La Albiceleste’s World Cup-winning squad in 2022.

The Manchester United player has now revealed the ‘tremendous gestures’ from McAllister and Emiliano during his toughest period.

The Liverpool man and Aston Villa stopper met him unannounced, which meant a lot to Lisandro.

“It was one of the most difficult situations. I needed everyone’s help; without them, it would not have been easy. You have to start from scratch again,” He said.

“return [Emiliano] And Mac Allister coming to my house to support me, it shows how we are in the national team, how we take care of each other.

“Deebu sent me a message. He said, ‘I’m coming to your house.’ And when he arrived he said, ‘Look, Mac Allister is coming too.’ ‘Oh okay, you handle it,’ I told her. It was a really nice moment.”

Lisandro’s importance to Manchester United

The South American regained full fitness in November and featured regularly for the Red Devils before suffering another setback in February. He played 14 matches in the Premier League and Manchester United remained unbeaten in all those matches.

Lisandro has missed the club’s last three matches at Old Trafford, including the defeat to Newcastle United. sports witness recently broadcast news His shock is not serious and he should not spend much time on the sidelines.

Results and performances both with and without the Argentine demonstrate his importance to Manchester United.

Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt could be headed to the Premier League and Aston Villa in the summer.

This is as of Monday’s edition imageWho look at Aston Villa options for the 29-year-old.

The Germany international has less than six months left on his contract. At the weekend, BVB Confirmed Via their official website that he would leave as a free agent after this season.

1. After the last league win over FC Köln, Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl confirmed Brandt’s summer move.

“I sat down with Juul. We discussed things and will be going our separate ways starting this summer. This could be an opportunity for both of us. There’s still a great deal of mutual respect,” He said.

“I think it was not easy for both of them because we worked together for a long time with mutual trust and achieved a lot. He always stuck to his word. Still, at a certain point you have to make a decision. They both decided it was the right decision for them.”

Why did Brandt decide to leave?

Bild relay Kehl’s comments and provide the latest information on Aston Villa as a possible destination for the player.

Brandt has played 1,803 minutes in 32 matches in all competitions this season, including 13 league starts, scoring 10 goals and three assists.

The newspaper claims he is worried about his role under Niko Kovac and is not happy with it ‘Become the face of BVB’s crisis’

He is one of the highest earners at the club, earning €8m per year. His high salary is another factor that has convinced Borussia Dortmund not to renew his contract.

The German could move to Aston Villa

At the start of the season, there were claims from the UK that Unai Emery’s side would consider signing the 29-year-old in the winter market. However, the game witnesses covered a german report Rejecting these claims.

That doesn’t mean Aston Villa aren’t keen or that the attacking midfielder couldn’t move to Villa Park in the summer.

Bild now claim the English club are being discussed as his next potential destination. It should be noted that no other club other than Aston Villa has been mentioned in the report.

Price and agent status

transfer market Brandt is now worth €20m, and his highest value in 2019 was €50m. He will now be available as a free agent in the next window.

Therefore, there is an attraction in a transfer to acquire him as a free agent. The midfielder does not have an official agent and is instead represented by relatives.

This could make things easier for Aston Villa when it comes to negotiating agent fees. Such costs are often much higher when associated with high profile free agents.

Juventus’s Cheffren Thuram has become one of the best midfielders in Serie A over the past two seasons. Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa are now focusing on his situation in Italy.

The Red Devils’ interest was covered exclusively sports witness Over the weekend.

Calciomercato IT believed Juve were rushing to tie down the Frenchman to a new contract. There was also interest from Inter Milan, who are looking for a big midfield signing in the summer.

Given Thuram’s rise in Serie A since arriving from Nice, all of this really comes as no surprise.

today’s tuttosport The forward looks to mention Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa as potential suitors.

Aston Villa, Liverpool and Man United will have to run

The Turin newspaper began the report citing agent Misa N’Diaye, who represents not only Thuram but also another Juve player in Jeremy Boga. The attacker joined on loan in January and they are looking to sign him permanently.

The article believes that N’Diaye will be very important for the Bianconeri in the summer. His operation could also determine Thuram’s future at Juventus after the season.

Sirens are coming from Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa for the 24-year-old. Juve, meanwhile, have taken evasive action and have already spoken to N’Diaye about a renewal.

Preliminary talks have taken place, with the Old Lady willing to guarantee Thuram a big pay upgrade. He currently earns €2.4m per season and with progress, the new deal could net him more than €4m per season.

The France international is seen as ‘untouchable’ property by the Italian side. That’s one reason why there is growing concern about tying him down and beating Premier League clubs to a renewal.

Our opinion on Khefren Thuram’s situation at Juventus

Khefren Thuram is probably one of the most recognizable faces in Serie A. He is of great value to the Bianconeri at a time when Juve are looking for such players in a period of instability.

He has developed into a very reliable ball-carrying asset in the midfield. He would add a lot to any club – even Manchester United, Liverpool or Aston Villa. But it seems that the point of interest to English clubs is the agent matter.

The Tuttosport report seems like a way to promote the midfielder’s agent and the good work he is doing for Juve.

Aston Villa are set to bring Juventus’ Jonathan David to the Premier League in the summer.

is according to calciomercato.itWhich covers Aston Villa’s interest and the stance of both the striker and Juventus on a summer exit.

The Canada international joined Juve on a free transfer in July 2025 and has managed to score seven goals and provide five assists in 38 appearances in all competitions this season.

This included four goals and three assists between January 6 and February 1, and David has not managed to score or contribute an assist since then.

The 26-year-old took advantage of Dusan Vlahovic’s injury absence in January. However, the outlet says he has not managed to prolong this, highlighting his recent decline in form. With the Serbian’s return approaching, David will have to settle for a place on the bench.

Aston Villa keen on Jonathan David

calciomercato.it state that David’s future appears to lie away in Serie A. His caption states that he has ‘packed his bags’ to leave the Old Lady after this season.

The frontman’s recent struggles have not disappointed his supporters in England, and Aston Villa have only been named in the report.

Late last year, there were suggestions of a swap deal between David and Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali. witness the game news broadcast from ItalyIs ruling out this possibility for the winter market. It is now unclear whether the magpies are watching him or not.

As for Unai Emery’s side, calciomercato.it say they are ‘particularly keen’ to bring the Canadian to Villa Park next season.

Willen has good relations with Juventus

In 2024, Aston Villa sold Douglas Luiz to Juventus, and signed Samuel Illing-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea from the Turin club. The latter two are now on loan at Pisa and Benfica respectively.

Luiz, on the other hand, returned to Emery’s side on loan in the winter market. These operations have allowed the Birmingham club to maintain an excellent relationship with Juventus.

This could help Aston Villa sign David, who is valued by his club at around €15-18m. Unless there is a new twist, he will leave Juve and it will be interesting to see where the frontman will play next season.

Our opinion: Fair deal on the cards for Aston Villa

Aston Villa signed Tammy Abraham on a permanent transfer in the winter market. Emery has two recognized strikers in him and Ollie Watkins.

Watkins turns 30 in December and is under contract until 2028. If he were to leave after this season, it would make sense for Aston Villa to sign David.

Even if Watkins stays, the English club should take advantage of David’s reasonable price and sign him.

Roma will buy Donyal Malen from Aston Villa this summer, regardless of qualification for the Champions League.

This is according to journalist Niccolo Ceccarini on Tuttomercatoweb. According to their information, Roma have already decided to buy Malen permanently.

The Dutchman joined the Serie A team on loan from Aston Villa in the January transfer window. That deal includes an obligation for Roma to make it permanent for €25m. However, this is dependent on them qualifying for the Champions League.

Malen’s form since his arrival has now changed that plan. The 27-year-old has quickly established himself as a leading man Named himself among Italy’s ‘top strikers’.

€25m transfer clause

To date he has scored six goals in seven matches for Roma, including a goal against Juventus and two against champions Napoli. His influence has ‘conquered all’. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini ‘first and foremost’.

That’s why despite the agreement with Aston Villa, Roma made no decision to buy him. The Italian side is no longer concerned about this.

Instead, they are going to buy Malen permanently for an agreed €25m price. There will be no waiting to see if they can qualify for the Champions League first.

Instead, Roma will have to pay just €25m. Aston Villa will also retain a 10% cut on any future resale.

Roma and Aston Villa benefited

This is a deal that will suit everyone. Roma get the chance to keep their star man, Malen gets the chance to stay at a club where he is thriving, and Aston Villa get the €25m they paid for him in January last year. That 10% clause may prove beneficial in future also.

During the year Malen was at Villa Park, he struggled to make an impact. 10 goals and two assists in 46 games was certainly not the return Unai Emery was looking for.

Instead he seems better suited to Gasperini and Italian football. Whether this is because the manager’s style is a better fit or Italian football is a better fit is debatable.

But six goals in seven games so far suggests something is going on, and now Roma want to keep him in the capital permanently.

Aston Villa are again being linked with a move for Sporting CP winger Jenni Catamo, and this time the potential price range is becoming clear.

portuguese newspaper to ball report that the Mozambique international is one of the players Sporting are set to sell in the summer window.

The 25-year-old has been attracting interest since last year, when Aston Villa and Fenerbahçe were both prepared to pay around €20m (£17m) to secure his signature.

Sporting ultimately decided to keep him. However, the situation may now develop differently.

near catamo importance continued to grow In Lisbon. Wearing the number 10 shirt this season, he has scored seven goals and added four assists in 31 appearances. Those numbers have solidified his position in the team and strengthened his reputation in the transfer market.

The game is open for negotiation

Both Sporting and the player are now ready to discuss a summer move. The final price could largely depend on how Catamo finishes the season.

Reports suggest that a deal in the region of €20m-€30m (£17m-£26m) could be enough to secure the transfer. This puts the potential fee well below the winger’s €60m (£51m) release clause.

For Aston Villa, that limitation is particularly relevant. The Premier League side had already explored a move last summer Were keen to reach the €20m (£17m) mark In that situation.

If Sporting are now willing to negotiate within the €20m-€30m (£17m-£26m) bracket, Villa could return to a position that looks far more attainable financially.

Increase in value due to player development

Catamo’s rise in sporting has been slow but steady. After being in the reserve side, he joined the club in 2020 after arriving from Amora.

Loan spells at Vitória Guimarães and Marítimo helped his development, before he convinced then-Sporting manager Rubén Amorim to keep him in the squad during the 2023 pre-season.

The club renewed his contract in December 2023 again last monthThe deal was extended until 2029. In July 2025, Sporting also spent €2.25m (£1.9m) to increase its stake in its economic rights to 90%.

Our take: €25m could do with

Sporting are planning a crucial summer window. Catamo is seen as one of the players capable of generating large income.

With the potential sales of Morten Hjulmand and Ousmane Diomande, the Portuguese club believe they can raise at least €100m (£86m) from those two departures. This reduces the pressure on the price of Katamo.

In January, A Bola reported that a €20m offer could do it. After renewing his contract, this figure should be slightly higher. However, the realistic negotiation range still appears to be well below his €60m (£51m) clause. And acquiring a player with an output level of around €25m would be very good business.

on thursday, sports witness Tuttomercatoweb’s claims about Newcastle United and Aston Villa’s interest in Como’s Jacobo Ramon covered.

Both Premier League teams are said to be monitoring the young defender, who is arguably one of the best in his position in Serie A.

He joined Real Madrid in the summer and it didn’t take him long to adapt to the Italian game. Under Cesc Fabregas, he has impressed with his ball-playing ability and recovery speed.

Interest from Newcastle United and Aston Villa attracted attention and Fàbregas was asked about Ramon’s future. He appeared to be firm on his stance, expressing a positive opinion of the Spaniard.

Newcastle and Aston Villa may have no chance

The questioning came during Como’s pre-game press conference ahead of the match against Cagliari. Fabregas made it clear that Ramon is not going anywhere and will remain at the club after this season.

Ex-Arsenal player says interest doesn’t surprise him – via tutomercatoweb: : “He [interest] I am not surprised. He was a perfect fit for our game. The only doubt we had was whether he could compete in Italian football, how he would adapt to a game like his, which is so competitive. “He has raised his level a lot, but he doesn’t surprise me with the ball.”

Fabregas also seemed surprised by Ramon’s progress and gave insight into his future.

“I knew he was that type of player, but there are some players who surprise you a little bit in some contexts. But this is different; there are some players who are made of different things. Will he be there next year? Yes.”

The same report praises the ex-Los Blancos talent but also cautions against adding Real Madrid to the race. This is because Ramon has a buyback clause in his contract and this is likely to cause problems for many suitors.

Analysis: Players’ enthusiasm outweighs actual transfer

Considering the 21-year-old’s qualities, he would be a good signing for any club – and that includes Newcastle United or Aston Villa.

But knowing Como, ideally they would keep him around for longer. They did it for Nico Paz and Assane Diao and they should do the same for Martin Baturina. Unlike other Serie A teams, they do not lack finances and this helps them to have a strong position in the market.

Furthermore, mentioning English clubs is also an excellent way to establish the market value of their players. He has done this for all the above mentioned players. Looks like they’re working with Ramon again.

Aston Villa star Lucas Digne has revealed he has made a significant tactical move since Unai Emery arrived at Villa Park.

SO FT HAS AN INTERVIEW Today with the 32-year-old. He discusses various topics, Which also includes traveling to and from London for the sake of his children.

The Frenchman is at Aston Villa until 2022, joining from Everton in a £25m deal in the January transfer window. He was the second big arrival under Steven Gerrard that month after Philippe Coutinho.

aston villa key players

He has been a key player since then, establishing himself as first-choice under Gerrard and his replacement Emery.

The Spanish boss arrived at Villa Park in November 2022, where Digne scored a spectacular free kick on his debut in a 3-1 win over Manchester United.

Digne has been a stalwart of the team after recently signing a contract extension until June 2028.

It means he has been a key part of the transformation at Villa Park under Emery so far. Progress has seen Aston Villa qualify for Europe and occasionally challenge for the title this season.

unai emery teachings

However, it seems like the pair will have to understand each other properly first. Digne drew on Emery’s well-established video analysis.

“When Unai Emery arrived at Aston Villa, he asked me to make more passes inside, to look for a player rather than a specific area,” He said.

“He didn’t forbid me from crossing, but you could tell it wasn’t his plan. Over time, he understood what my ability to cross could bring, so he asked me to keep doing it.

“Now, I just know that I should cross only when necessary. It has taught me to choose the right moment to do so without compromising my style. Younai is one of the coaches who has guided me the most in my career.”

passionate and careful

“He’s really passionate. He’s meticulous; we do four hours of video analysis a week. Everything is scrutinized. I was 28 when we met, and I improved a lot thanks to him, at an age when I didn’t think I could take the next step. Both offensively and defensively.”

“For example, he wants his two full-backs to see each other, to be in a position where they can see the defensive line. In French football training, I was always told to keep an eye on the opposition player.

“It meant I had to completely change my approach and learn a new way of defending. It’s not easy to change my habits after so long, but in the end, it’s beneficial.”

Analysis: The player appears to have reached an agreement with the manager

Lucas Digne has been frustrated many times in his career that people are not rating him enough. Although this partly relates to the France national team, it has also been an issue at clubs before Aston Villa.

Defenders have struggled to convince, an example of which is Didier Deschamps. Now he is expected to go to the World Cup with France and it seems certain at the club level too.

Digne has not been in his best form for Aston Villa, yet there was no hint of complaint in a lengthy conversation about his career. He has found a place where he feels comfortable on and off the field and Unai Emery has played a big role in that.

🇫🇷Lucas Digne | “There is no French school there”

🚘 Aston Villa star travels from London
➡️ Says he is one of 3 or 4 #avfc players are also doing the same
➡️ Putting children’s education firsthttps://t.co/1QGOC8cNh7

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 5 March 2026

At the end of January, Aston Villa sealed an initial loan offer for Douglas Luiz from Juventus. sports witness The transfer was covered closely, as the midfielder’s stay at Nottingham Forest was cut short.

Chelsea were also interested in the Brazilian, who struggled with injuries during his time at the City Ground. The decision to return to Villa Park is paying off, with Douglas Luiz repeating his best form.

Since joining, the Juventus loanee has started every Premier League game for Aston Villa. He also scored in Wednesday’s heavy 4–1 defeat against the Blues.

Now, plans are being made in Turin for the Brazil international’s future.

Douglas Luiz’s future is in England

black and white Report Juve are desperate to see the midfielder join Aston Villa on a permanent deal.

Unai Emery’s side have the option to buy him permanently for €25m, having already paid a loan fee of €3.5m. Since there is no obligation to buy, the Bianconeri are not taking anything for granted.

They are sure that they will not keep the player in Turin next season. Even if he returns from Aston Villa, they will still move him forward again. His time at Juventus was unsuccessful, especially considering the money that was spent on him.

As a result, Juve is assessing an opening in the Premier League. They are hoping Douglas Luiz can continue to impress in Birmingham. This will ensure that even if he doesn’t stay at Villa Park, other English clubs will definitely make a move for him.

Things are back on track for Douglas Luiz

The Brazilian’s regular game time is coming in the absence of Boubacar Kamara, as the Frenchman is out with a knee injury. That’s why the Juventus player was signed in the first place.

It will be interesting to see what happens when Kamara returns as it could reduce Douglas Luiz’s playing time. Furthermore, the option to buy is by no means cheap and would require some convincing at Aston Villa.

Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare has revealed how he irritates Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana when they meet on the pitch.

Het Belang van Limburg has the Wolves striker’s comments today. He is busy celebrating after he and his team beat Aston Villa 2-0 at the weekend. Despite his dislike for the weather.

Arokodare was on the bench for the game but came on as a substitute in the second half. This gave him another opportunity to come up against Onana.

wolves through begium

The Wolves striker has a strong connection with Belgium having played for years in the country. This has seen him maintain links with some of the Belgian squad currently at Villa Park.

Onana is chief among them, and Arokodare admits that he cannot help teasing him when they meet on the pitch.

“Andre! (Amadou Onana) I always call him that, jokingly.” He said.

“After the Man United goalkeeper. We have a good relationship. During the first leg, we clashed, a real clash, fortunately, we did not suffer any consequences.”

belgium hopes

Although there has been light tinkering on the pitch, Arokodare is still wishing Belgium all the best for the World Cup this summer.

He spent two years and seven months playing for the country from January 2023 to September 2025. The 2024/25 season was his most successful to date, scoring 21 league goals to win the Golden Boot. He also won the Ebony Shoe as the country’s best African player.

That, clearly, is a time he remembers fondly and as a result he is hoping for success for the Aston Villa midfielder. This is despite their ongoing rivalry.

“My years at KRC Genk have given me a bit of Belgian blood, so I hope they will do well,” He added.

“I also have a lot of friends at the Red Devils: Zeno (Debast), Maarten (Vandevoort), Openda, Onana… Hopefully, Brian (Henen) and Mats (Smets) will also make the World Cup squad.”

🌧️ We are all Tolo Arokodare 🌧️

💬 “The weather in Wolverhampton isn’t really normal anymore. I swear, it’s been raining non-stop. Yesterday was the first day of the year when the sun shone. The first day, you know!”https://t.co/kdmwdgqNL9 #wwfc #wolvesfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 3 March 2026

Philippe Coutinho’s story after leaving Aston Villa did not end as smoothly as many might have expected.

The Brazilian midfielder is now officially without a club after his contract with Vasco da Gama expired, according to the Brazilian FA’s daily bulletin this week.

brazilian outlet metropolitan cities The cancellation was initially confirmed on Monday. Announced on 20 FebruaryNow fully registered. As a result, the 33-year-old is a free agent and is free to negotiate with any club.

For Aston Villa, the transfer saga came to an end last year. Coutinho is working hard to return to Vasco in 2024, the club where he started his career. Villa agreed a loan in July 2024 and until July 2025 This move became permanent At zero cost.

However, less than a year after that definitive change, the move has effectively collapsed.

Ended suddenly after public pressure

Coutinho requested unilateral termination earlier this month. Vasco confirmed that they have reached an amicable agreement after respectful negotiations.

In his second spell at Vasco, Coutinho made 81 appearances, scoring 17 goals and providing seven assists. In 2025 alone, he made 56 appearances – the highest single season total of his career. He was one of the top artists in the country At one point last seasonBut things have deteriorated rapidly.

Brazilian reports have described growing frustration and mental stress, particularly after Vasco’s Copa do Brasil final defeat in December and the slow start to their state championship campaign this year. He was not performing well above expectations especially for at least the last four months.

The turning point came after a match against third division team Volta Redonda. He was booed by a section of the home fans as he walked down the tunnel at half-time. He did not return until the second half.

Shortly thereafter, he issued a personal statement. “With a heavy heart, I understand it is time to take a step back and end this cycle at Vasco.” He has written. He also admitted: “The truth is that I am very mentally exhausted.”

What does this mean for Aston Villa

From Aston Villa’s perspective, the financial chapter closed in 2025 when a permanent deal was agreed at zero cost. The hope was that the player would have found stability at home after leaving the Premier League. Instead, returns were disclosed within 18 months.

Coutinho is now back on the open market. For Aston Villa, the transfer has long been finalized, and there is no known clause on the sale that they are missing out on. Yet the broader narrative about his departure and subsequent struggles adds an unfortunate epilogue to a move based on emotions.

A chapter that began with a determination to leave Villa Park has now ended in free agency and uncertainty.

John Carew had quite a memorable experience at Aston Villa before retiring and turning to acting.

He joined the Villans from Lyon in 2007. This came as he scored 17 times for the French side, while also making key performances in the Champions League.

Carew lived up to expectations at Birmingham and became a cult hero at Aston Villa.

Acting career started in Birmingham

Carew, who also worked at AS Roma, spoke to gazzetta dello sport In an extensive interview. He recalled how his passion for acting was first born in Birmingham.

The former striker said: “In 2009, I was playing for Aston Villa. I was 30 years old. Some of my friends in London worked in the film industry, and one day they said to me, ‘John, you look interesting to be an actor.’ At first I didn’t believe it.”

He revealed that he first started taking lessons during his time at Aston Villa.

“Then I convinced myself and started taking courses. Acting allowed me to create a channel to express my feelings.”

The former player also claimed that it was Prince William who convinced him to move to the Premier League in 2007.

Revealing some background he said: “We met during a dinner with the royal family in Norway. I remember we talked only about football, and shortly after, he invited me to England to watch a match of his team Aston Villa. He convinced me to go there in 2007: for three consecutive seasons, I scored double figures in the Premier League.”

Additionally, Carew pointed to his good relationship with Prince William.

“He praised me. In 2019, we watched the play-off final against Derby County at Wembley together, securing our return to the Premier League.”

At Aston Villa, Carew scored 48 times and added 12 assists in 131 matches.

Aston Villa and Crystal Palace were recently linked Real Betis winger Abed Ezalzouli, and now the latest report from Spain suggests Premier League interest is indeed rising ahead of the summer window.

local outlet game Claim the Morocco international has taken a big step forward this season. The 23-year-old has scored nine goals and provided six assists in 26 appearances, establishing himself as one of Betis’ main attacking threats. Importantly, his influence now extends beyond traditional wing play.

Abed has long been known for his dribbling and one-v-one ability. However, he has added a better end product in the final third. As a result, his profile has risen significantly throughout Europe.

Premier League interest resurfaces

According to Sport, several Premier League clubs are keeping a close eye on the winger. While the Spanish outlet does not describe the situation as advanced talks, they do insist that English clubs are more attentive to his progress.

Aston Villa have been linked with the winger From 2023, when they tried to sign him while he was still playing at Barcelona.

Abede’s strong Africa Cup of Nations campaign has further heightened that interest. His pace, direct running and confidence in wide areas make him a natural fit for English football. Therefore, it is no surprise that clubs such as Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are being mentioned in connection with him again.

For its part, Betis has no intention of actively selling. The Andalusian side are aware of the assets they possess and have reportedly rejected approaches during the winter period. Instead, they have postponed any serious discussions until the summer.

Financial parameters and Barcelona section

The story says that in England, figures of around €40m (£34m) are already being discussed. Furthermore, an eventual move could bring Abed an annual salary of between €5m and €6m (£4.3m-£5.2m).

That financial level will test Betis’ resolve. Although they may want to keep the winger, a strong offer could change the scenario.

There is also a secondary beneficiary. Barcelona retain 20% of Abed’s rights. As a result, any sale will yield proceeds to the Catalan club.

For Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, this situation may develop gradually. Still, with Abed entering what many see as a breakout phase, the Premier League noise around him is unlikely to subside before the summer window opens.

Juventus hopes that Aston Villa can qualify for the Champions League this season, so they can sell Douglas Luiz permanently.

This is according to Tuttosport. The Italian newspaper has today covered the Brazilian midfielder’s situation and Juventus’ expectations.

Luiz returned to Aston Villa at the end of the January transfer window. He was on loan at Nottingham Forest, but did not benefit from being under successive managers.

He was eventually sent back to Juventus, where he was also not in the plans. The Italian side instead agreed a deal with Aston Villa for the 27-year-old to return to Villa Park.

That loan deal includes the option for the Villans to make it permanent. Unai Emery’s side would have to pay €28.5m to do so. Sport Witness has covered various reports on that matter, including Earlier this week one said there was confidence that would happen.

Why is Aston Villa form important?

Tuttosport works on it now. According to their information, Juventus are closely watching Aston Villa’s form.

Luiz is currently helping them finish in the top four. They are currently in third place with 51 points, three points ahead of fourth-placed Manchester United. They are five behind Manchester City in second place.

Juventus are ‘obviously hoping’ that will happen. His argument is simple. If Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League, they could be ‘persuaded’ to buy Douglas Luiz permanently for €25m.

€3.5m bonus on card

There could also be an additional €3.5m bonus on the cards for him if the midfielder remains a key player under Emery.

Both would be a timely boost to Juventus’ coffers, especially as Luiz is no longer part of the club’s long-term plans.

In fact, Juventus only sees the midfielder as being at risk of becoming a liability going forward. They want to avoid keeping it with them for a long time and paying more than necessary.

Aston Villa, preferably, would sign him in the summer and prevent that from happening. Qualifying for the Champions League will make that more likely.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has taken aim at Everton and Aston Villa in his continued complaints about Premier League spending.

Mundo Deportivo covered La Liga Supreme’s comments today. And it looks like Everton and Aston Villa are on target this time.

Tebas regularly complains about the Premier League’s spending power compared to La Liga. It is a constant point of complaint for the Spanish chief, who believes English clubs are being allowed to operate unfairly.

The complaints persist despite changes to spending rules this summer.

PSR abandoned

The Premier League is abandoning its old PSR model to adopt a more UEFA-compliant model. Under the current system, clubs cannot make a loss of more than £105m over a three-year period.

This will be deemed obsolete and replaced by rules that allow clubs to spend up to 85% of their revenue on transfers, wages and agent fees.

The new rules will also prevent actions by clubs such as selling assets such as hotels and women’s teams to circumvent financial rules.

Everton and Aston Villa have both used it in recent years. To make room for transfer spending, Everton sold Everton Women to Roundhouse Capital Holdings in July 2025. Aston Villa have sold their women’s team to a parent holding company in a deal reportedly worth £55m in early 2025.

Chelsea’s deal was even bigger, reportedly worth around £200 million. This allowed them to turn a large loss into a pre-tax profit.

Everton and Aston Villa in the firing line

However, he seems to have avoided the wrath of Tebas. Instead, he took aim at Everton and Aston Villa in his comments at a press conference in London.

“We’re fooling ourselves,” He said.

“It is commendable that we are demanding Financial Fair Play rules. But the turnover of English football, excluding transfers, is twice that of the Spanish League and twice that of the Bundesliga, which is next in line.

“With normal financial fair play, its investment potential will always be double. We know we cannot compete financially with the Premier League.

“We can sign better players, hire better coaches, but we can’t compete. The Premier League alone, with normal financial fair play, is enough to be number one by a wide margin.”

Baiser Enal has become a regular for NEC Nijmegen over the past two seasons. The youngster is now attracting the attention of Aston Villa – and rightfully so.

The versatile winger has made quite an impression for the Dutch side in the ongoing campaign. He has contributed five goals and seven assists, showing his versatility by starting regularly at wing-back.

This seems to have brought out the best in him, as the 21-year-old played up front last season but only scored once. In the past, he has also played as an attacking midfielder and right winger, but left wing-back has played to his strengths.

Now, his performances are helping NEC Nijmegen challenge for a surprise European place. They are tied for third in the Eredivisie on points with Ajax.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa is now emerging as a possible destination for Onal.

Why might Aston Villa tempt Onal?

Today, corriere dello sport A detailed look at the versatile attacker, his strengths and where his future could lie.

They make it clear that Onal is one of Nijmegen’s prized assets and he is now attracting the attention of major clubs. There is interest from Aston Villa but also from Atletico Madrid.

However, the villains may be in the driving seat. The main reason is that he will be tempted to switch to the Premier League.

The transfer could be facilitated by his contract, which expires in 2028. So far, there are no signs that the Türkiye U21s man will extend his stay at the Dutch club.

Anal is seeing incredible growth

The Turkish talent joins Nijmegen from De Graafschap for just €1m in 2024. At his former club, he contributed 30 goals in 83 games in all competitions, impressing at a young age.

At that time, his best performances came in a traditional left wing role, another example of Aston Villa’s versatility.

His price tag is currently unknown but Nijmegen will surely make high capital gains from the sale.

earlier this month, sports witness Comments covered from Donyal Malen, who talked about his Aston Villa exit and why he chose AS Roma.

He cited Gian Piero Gasperini as the main reason for the transfer, as the player had scored five times for the club.

Dutchman praises manager immediately after Italian Compare Him to the great Gianluca Vialli. Although that comparison was obviously far-fetched, Malen’s influence can clearly be seen.

After scoring two goals against Napoli, he also started against Cremonese. Although he did not score, the attacker played well and helped Roma win 3–0.

The arrival from Aston Villa is now seen as a big reason why Roma are better than at the end of last year.

Why are you counting on Roma Malen?

today’s corriere dello sport Giallorossi notes three reasons to change things. They are in a good position in the Champions League and are on their way back into the competition.

The first reason for change is Malen herself. He has been described as a ‘Martian’ who helps to ‘orchestrate’ Roma on the pitch in a Gasperini manner.

The Aston Villa player has already equaled Ivan Ferguson’s tally of five goals while playing just six league games. Before his joining, Roma were dependent on goals from the midfield and defenders.

Artem Dovbyk, like Ferguson, was struggling with form and fitness. This forced Gasperini to often play Paulo Dybala in an unnatural striker role. Malen has now taken over that position, giving Gasperini reason to smile.

Sorry for Aston Villa?

Normally, goalscoring form like Malen’s would make selling clubs regret the sale.

But in this case, Aston Villa really won’t have too many regrets. The 27-year-old showed his goalscoring ability under Unai Emery but was never trusted on a regular basis.

Additionally, the Villans brought Tammy Abraham back to the club and he already has a goal. Due to his prior experience he is a more proven Premier League goalscorer than Malen.

Now, Aston Villa will only be hoping to cash in on Malen’s permanent departure.

two weeks ago, sports witness Calciomercato’s claims about Aston Villa’s desire to sign Douglas Luiz permanently covered.

This gave Juventus hope of signing Ian Matson in a swap deal. He saw the Dutchman defender as a replacement for the struggling Andrea Cambiaso.

It was believed that with both players being equally valued, the Villans were open to a swap. The main reason for this was his satisfaction with the Brazilian people.

today’s tuttosport If you look closely, there is excitement about the player in Turin.

Douglas Luiz is giving hope to Juventus

The newspaper wrote how the midfielder has won two man of the match awards in his last five matches for Aston Villa. He has started all those matches and now, there is a big possibility of signing this player permanently.

This is a positive thing for Juve, who have not had a particularly pleasant last few days. They have lost to Inter Milan, Como and Galatasaray, which has spread negativity around the club. There are the usual concerns over finances but the transfer of Douglas Luiz will go a long way to address them.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has been credited with getting the most out of the midfielder.

€28.5m package from Aston Villa

The report clarifies the terms of the deal.

Aston Villa have an option to buy the 27-year-old for €25m and they are more than confident about exercising it. Juve are also hoping that Douglas Luiz will perform well next season as he will earn a €3.5m bonus.

All of this would be a huge boost to the club’s ‘bloated coffers’, especially as the Brazilian never made an impression in Turin.

Now, he has also put his injury troubles behind him, and his fitness will likely play a key role in whether Aston Villa actually exercise his option.

Tottenham, Everton, Aston Villa and Newcastle United are all seen as potential competitors to Napoli for Marcos Senesi.

This is according to Area NaplesWhich covers his side’s attempts to get to the defender today. The Bournemouth man has a queue of suitors as he looks set to move on a free transfer in the summer transfer window.

Aria Napoli report that Napoli are one of the sides eyeing a move. There has been ‘reflection’ due to injuries in his squad and sporting director Giovanni Manna is already looking around.

Senesi is one of the players they have targeted. The 28-year-old defender is an old target but there may now be a way to finally get him.

Tottenham, Everton, Aston Villa and Newcastle

The biggest problem is the competition for his signature. In this regard, Napoli need to be wary of Tottenham, Everton, Aston Villa and Newcastle United. Roma and Juventus are also stepping up their efforts to land the Argentine.

This is not the first time that Sport Witness has linked Premier League sides with a move for the Bournemouth man.

a report on the 18th^th Tottenham were put into the mix with reports suggesting they were potentially battling Barcelona for Senesi’s signature this month. This comes after a previous report on the 13th^th Suggested he had his eye on her.

agents are working hard

On the 9th, Everton was named as a potential suitor^th. They were in the mix in that report With the likes of Chelsea and Crystal Palace.

However, this is the first time that Aston Villa and Newcastle have been added to the mix. However, given his PSR issues in the recent window, it probably isn’t surprising that he would have his eye on free agents.

The reality is that it feels like his agents are shopping around and taking interest. This would certainly make sense as Sport Witness covered a report suggesting that the Bournemouth Senesi would be leaving this summer.

Aston Villa are no longer alone in their pursuit of Jenni Catamo. According to Portuguese newspaper recordDespite this, the Sporting CP winger remains firmly on the radar of many clubs Recently renewing your contract Till 2029.

Villa were previously linked with the 25-year-old, and now Everton and Fulham have also been named as interested Premier League sides. Meanwhile, French club Lyon have been reported as “the latest to knock on the door”.

Sporting may have extended the deal of Jenny Catamo, but the noise around him has not died down.

Premier League competition is increasing

Records show that Jenni Catamo recently visited Sporting’s offices to review his contract. He received a pay rise and an extra year, keeping him tied to the club until 2029. The provision for his release remains at €60m (£51m).

However, the renewal does not guarantee that he will remain beyond this season. The report makes it clear that many clubs are constantly keeping an eye on him.

For Aston Villa, this changes the dynamic. Earlier, they appeared as a leading english lover. Now, they face domestic competition from Everton and Fulham, both of whom have been mentioned prominently in the Portuguese press.

As interest has now spread to several Premier League clubs, Sporting is benefiting. Even if the actual sale price is less than the full €60m (£51m) clause – €20m could do thisAs mentioned earlier – the bidding environment can push figures sharply upward.

French threat increases pressure

Lyon’s emergence introduces another layer. The Ligue 1 side are presented as the most recent club to make contact. Cross-league competition often strengthens the position of a selling club, especially when English spending power is involved.

From Villa’s point of view, timing could prove decisive. They already know the player’s profile and contractual situation. However, waiting too long could give rivals a chance to formalize their interest.

Sporting’s strategy seems clear. He has protected Jenny Catamo’s contract and increased his pay, yet he has not closed the door to a summer departure.

What does this mean for Aston Villa

If Villa come back, they will enter a more competitive landscape than before. Everton and Fulham offer alternative Premier League destinations. Lyon offers continental competition.

The bet is €60 million (£51 million), but the actual fight could be well below that figure. Still, with more clubs circling around, the price may eventually rise compared to last summer’s environment.

Aston Villa are no longer talking in isolation. And in transfer markets, he alone can change everything.

Atletico Madrid have been linked to the signing of Aston Villa’s Boubacar Kamara.

At least that’s what RMC Sports journalist Daniel Riolo is reporting, and le10 sport Has released his comments.

After ending his 18-year tenure at Marseille, the France international joined Aston Villa on a free transfer in July 2022.

Kamara’s refusal to commit his future to his boyhood club attracted interest from several European clubs and Unai Emery’s side won the battle. His decision to leave the French club for Villains did not please Marseille president Pablo Longoria.

La Liga side Aston Villa wanted the player

Prior to his move to Villa Park, Riolo claims that Atletico Madrid had shown solid interest in the midfielder. In fact, the La Liga side had sent an official to France for face-to-face talks with him.

Los Rojiblancos wanted to include the 26-year-old in Diego Simeone’s squad and the trip to France was mostly to convince him to choose him over others. Riolo gives an insight into what happened behind the scenes with the Spanish club.

“He almost went to Atlético. I’ll tell you a little story anyway. At one point during the season Atlético showed interest in him. Joining such a club would have been a very good option for him,” He said.

“Atletico were so interested in him that they sent their director to meet Kamara. They were wondering where they would meet. If they were seen together would people talk or not, etc. As it happens, the Atlético director is not very famous in France, so they thought, ‘No problem, I’ll come to you!’

Atletico official meets midfielder in France

The journalist did not mention details of the officer who had traveled to France.

“So he [the director] Went to Kamra’s house. He arranged a meeting, gave him his address,” Riolo explained.

“He arrived, rang the doorbell, and Kamara welcomed him, in shorts, barefoot. The Atlético director said, ‘I walked through the door, and I knew perfectly well that such a person could never sign with us. Because you can’t welcome a sporting director dressed like that, without any consideration, without any thought. There were three dudes there, barefoot, in shorts…’ He talked, and he thought, ‘We would never have such a person. Will not be able to sign.

Atletico missing out on Kamara will surely please Emery and Aston Villa. Last July, the Premier League side rewarded him with a new contract until 2030.

Paolo Di Canio has hit out at commentators comparing Donyal Malen to Gianluca Vialli after shining brightly after leaving Aston Villa.

lazio we are Cover the former striker’s comments today. He is not too impressed by Roma’s recent praise for Malen.

The Dutchman joined the Italian side on loan from Aston Villa in the January transfer window.

That agreement includes an option to make the move permanent if the player meets certain performance and eligibility requirements this season.

Malen flourishes after Aston Villa

Malen has certainly made it a possibility. He has made a significant impact under Gian Piero Gasperini since his arrival, becoming a central figure in the Giallorossi attack and scoring five goals in five games.

This led to some impressive praise in Italy, which Sport Witness has covered. For example, on the 10th^th, There were comments in which he was compared to Gianluca Vialli.

Even yesterday he had a relationship with Gasperini and Roma A great marriage was compared. However, there has been some pushback on this.

For example, Antonio Cassano wanted to point out that Serie A is “five steps down” Premier League. The suggestion that Malen should have found it easier to flourish in Rome is obvious.

Di Canio not impressed

Di Canio isn’t going quite that far, but he is less impressed by the comparisons to Vialli. He was close friends with the Italian, having a relationship going back three decades.

They played together at Juventus, while Vialli tried to sign him as Chelsea manager. Di Canio subsequently publicly defended his friend and described the Blues’ decision to sack him as “incredible”.

He now feels comparisons with Malen disrespect his legacy as he continues to shine away from Aston Villa.

He said, “He is 27 years old and nobody paid attention to him (Malen).”

“Yet we commented on him in the cup competitions with Dortmund, where he was a little more than a reserve, a co-starter, right?

“At Aston Villa, that was truly reserved for Rodgers and especially Watkins, who are strong. He comes here, scores five goals in five games, and who are we going to mention? Vialli? My big brother, a kiss to heaven, I’m sorry they mentioned you.”

Aston Villa signed Samuel Illing-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea from Juventus in July 2024. The Villans sent both out on loan as Unai Emery did not consider them at Villa Park.

Illing-Junior had loan spells at Bologna and Middlesbrough during the 2024/25 season. Last summer, Aston Villa sent him on loan to West Bromwich Albion, and he failed to shine at The Hawthorns.

The winger scored one goal and failed to provide an assist in 24 matches in 1,290 minutes in all competitions for West Brom.

Aston Villa man’s ‘surprising’ loan move

Winter deadline day, witness the game Covered claims from Italy ‘Stunning coup’ for Pisa to sign the 23-year-old. The source described his temporary transfer as a shocking move.

Aston Villa-owned player completed a loan transfer to the Serie A team until the end of this season. Last weekend, he came off the bench to make his debut in Pisa’s 2–1 win over AC Milan.

On Tuesday, Pisa presented the Englishman and another January signing, Rosen Bozhinov, to local media. pisa football The comments made by the Villains man are Riley’s.

conversation with pisa

Illing-Junior revealed that he decided to join after talks with officials at the Italian club. He mentioned this when asked about negotiations with Pisa for the loan.

“It’s been great. We talked. I saw the opportunity, and knowing Serie A well, I saw a possibility. We are close to being together, we always have to think about it,” He said.

“I immediately talked to the director and the coach. I know the city well because it is very famous and I got into a top locker room. There is a good atmosphere there. It doesn’t feel like we are living in the situation we are in.”

When asked about his dry loan, Illing-Junior explained. “Right now, I’m just thinking game by game. I need to move forward and improve to help the team. First stay awake, then we’ll see. Everything can always change.”

This shows that he has not taken any decision about his future after this season.

While Aston Villa fans cursed and wondered what Marco Bizot was doing against Newcastle United, others were much less surprised.

Analyst René van der Gijp was one of them. And he has come forward to defend the Aston Villa goalkeeper today Comments broadcast by Voetbal Primeur.

Bizot received a red card against Newcastle United during a 3–1 FA Cup defeat on Valentine’s Day. The referee showed the 34-year-old a straight red for a moment in first-half stoppage time, which will likely haunt him for some time.

a moment of madness

He went 40 yards from his goal before bringing down Jacob Murphy in a reckless challenge near the halfway line.

Aston Villa were leading 1–0 at the time and looked set to progress, thanks to Tammy Abraham’s opener.

Instead, the departure turned the game upside down. Aston Villa conceded goals in the second half, resulting in their elimination in the fourth round.

Bizot will now serve a domestic suspension and will miss Villa’s upcoming Premier League match against Leeds United as a result.

“Goalkeepers do strange things”

He has already apologized publicly through social media. He called the incident a “moment of madness” and expressed regret.

Unai Emery later defended his number two. He labeled the goalkeeper “brilliant” and insisted he would learn from the experience.

Now Van der Gijp has stepped forward to defend him. According to him, such incidents happen only for the goalkeeper to show off.

“They’re goalkeepers, Wilfred, you were one yourself,” he told host Wilfred Zinni. “It never surprised me, you know.

“You’ve seen them too, Johan (Derksen). I never thought it would be strange when a goalkeeper did something like that. It’s in their nature. Goalkeepers always do strange things. It’s in their nature.”

On deadline day, sports witness Covered the loan of Aston Villa player Samuel Illing-Junior to Pisa. This came after he spent the first half of the season on loan at West Bromwich Albion.

In the championship, the winger played 24 times and scored one goal. Although he did not contribute many goals, the Englishman was a regular.

He started each of the Baggies’ final four games before his surprise departure. It was the first time in some time that he got regular minutes.

Now, it seems the decision to leave Aston Villa on a second loan is paying off.

Aston Villa player praised

Iling-Junior made his debut for Pisa against AC Milan on Friday. He came off the bench to play 33 minutes and made a real impact.

It was noted NationWho saw some ‘very positive things’ from the attacker. Despite not starting, he was one of the bright spots in the 2–1 defeat, as Pisa almost equalized the game.

Coincidentally, his Pisa debut came against Max Allegri, who had given Iling-Junior his debut during his time at Juventus.

Against the Rossoneri, he showed his blistering pace and worked reliably in tight spaces. This helped Pisa to hold Milan during counter-attacks.

There is a belief that manager Oscar Hiljemark could give the 22-year-old a start against Fiorentina.

A big opportunity for Pisa Illing-Junior

Last season, the winger spent two separate loan spells at Middlesbrough and Bologna. For the Serie A team, he only played 117 minutes in the league. In the Championship, he made 16 appearances but was never able to produce consistent performances.

This was also the situation at West Brom at the start of this season and that is why this is a huge opportunity for Pisa Illing-Junior to really prove himself.

Expectations will be low from Bologna Magic, especially since Pisa is struggling for survival. If he makes significant contributions in such a situation, his stock will naturally rise.

This would net Aston Villa a large fee from any future sale.

Just when Donyal Malen was enjoying life at Roma after leaving Aston Villa, Antonio Cassano arrives to throw cold water on the fire.

Forza Roma covered the comments from the Italian mouthpiece today. While everyone is celebrating Malene, predictably, she has a very different take on the situation.

For those who don’t know, Malen is shining at Roma at the moment. The 27-year-old joined them on loan from Aston Villa in mid-January. That loan includes an obligation for the summer transfer window.

Roma would be delighted if this happens, as he has been performing brilliantly in Serie A. To date, he has scored five goals in five matches for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, including two doubles in his last two matches.

rapid improvement

He has improved rapidly in his short tenure at Aston Villa, where he scored 10 goals and two assists in 46 games after joining for €25m in January last year.

The reaction in Italy has been nothing but positive. Sport Witness has covered this reaction extensively Comparison with Gianluca Vialli As for the comments of the striker himself.

Malen took a bit of a dig at Aston Villa by labeling Roma an “ambitious club”.

aston villa one level up

However, like rain on a picnic, Cassano wants to put a damper on things. According to him, Malen is flourishing only because Serie A is not as good as the Premier League.

He said, “Malen is an excellent player, but Serie A is five steps below the Premier League.”

“People who come to Italy from England make the difference. He was also a bench player at Borussia Dortmund.

Gasperini really likes him, and he’s found the right player; Roma did well to sign him. Malen is perfect for this type of football. Emery is one of the best coaches in the world, in England perhaps he was not at his level.”

In the January transfer window, sports witness Donyell Malen’s transfer from Aston Villa to AS Roma was closely watched.

The deal progressed quickly, as Unai Emery’s side agreed to loan the striker with an obligation to buy. Already, the Dutchman is making a big impact in Rome.

He scored two goals in Roma’s 2–2 draw against title-chasing Napoli. This helped him take his goal tally to five in all competitions with goals against Torino and Cagliari.

While Gian Piero Gasperini has risen Compare As for the attacker, Malen himself has spoken about his life away from Aston Villa.

Striker enjoying life after Aston Villa

The 26-year-old spoke to the press after his impressive performance against Napoli.

He explained that things are going very well in the Italian capital and he is feeling positive about life in the Giallorossi.

He said- relayed by romannews: : “Since I came here, I feel good. I know what my qualities are, and sometimes in football you also need a little luck. I’m very happy to be here.”

Malen also shared his thoughts about the game and expressed his disappointment that Roma could not win.

“To be honest, I’m a little disappointed. I think we deserved to win. We played well. Obviously, I’m happy for myself, but I wanted to win.”

Furthermore, the ex-Borussia Dortmund player revealed Gasperini’s role in the transfer to Roma.

“A great role. He talked to me about the position and what he wanted me to do.

“Roma is a great, ambitious club, and I know I can showcase my football here. I’m happy to sign with Roma.”

Perfect for grinding Gasparini

It is no surprise that Malen joined Roma largely because of Gasperini. The Italian has a great reputation for getting the most out of attacking players. In the past, his system has improved underperforming attackers and taken them to a different level.

Malen falls into that category, as he had little game time at Aston Villa. He made his mark in the Europa League but it never seemed enough for Unai Emery.

Now, he is Roma’s undisputed starter, with Artem Dovbyk and Ivan Ferguson failing to impress.

Gasperini has always liked strikers who offer more than just goals. Malen has reliable 1v1 ability and this has already shown at Roma.

Aston Villa signed Douglas Luiz on loan from Juventus and he was the only midfielder to arrive at Villa Park in the winter market.

Before signing the Brazilian on loan, Aston Villa considered a few options, including AC Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

tuttosport Here’s a report on why Aston Villa failed to sign Loftus-Cheek, and what Milan’s plans are for him.

January interest in Loftus-Cheek

Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans have all been on the sidelines since January. This encouraged Unai Emery’s side to consider other options before settling on Luiz.

The UK media were confident of the former Chelsea man moving to Aston Villa in the winter market, but that did not happen. Last month, Sport Witness covered Italy’s claim Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri blocked his San Siro exit in January.

TuttoSport picked up and covered the Premier League team and Lazio’s strong interest in the 30-year-old.

The newspaper says Maurizio Sarri and Emery put ‘intense pressure’ on Lazio and Aston Villa. Loftus-Cheek can play in multiple positions and this attracted both managers.

Aston Villa immediately rejected

However, the move never took shape as the England international ‘immediately rejected’ advances from the Biancocelesti and Villans as his preference is to remain at San Siro. He also rejected an offer of €10m per year from Saudi Arabia.

Loftus-Cheek has played 1,340 minutes in 26 matches for Milan this season and Allegri has used him in a number of roles. His contract expires in 2027. The Rossoneri could reward him for not entertaining the approaches of Aston Villa and Lazio in the winter market.

According to the report, he wants to extend his contract with the Italian club and negotiations are underway for a renewal.

The newspaper says: ‘There is strong momentum and positive sentiment building towards a definitive agreement in the coming weeks.’

Tuttosport are not sure about the length of the contract, but they believe it is until 2030. With this, he will stay in Milan till the age of 34.

Despite pressure from Emery, the potential renewal makes it more complicated for Aston Villa to consider signing Loftus-Cheek in the summer.

Aston Villa may have to rethink their numbers if they want to make a comeback for Jenni Catamo. according to recordThe Sporting CP winger has now renewed his contract until 2029, strengthening the Portuguese club’s position after months of transfer noise.

The new deal sets his release clause at €60m (£51m) and almost doubles his wages. Catamo will now earn around €700,000 (£600,000) a year, up from around €400,000 (£340,000).

This is the second renewal in more than a year, following its previous extension in December 2023. Sporting knows that Aston Villa is interested And are clearly protecting both a key player and valuable asset.

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Time is not random. Catamo has been one of Sporting’s standout performers this season. Since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, he has scored three goals in league, cup and Champions League matches. In the AFCON, he found the net twice and helped Mozambique reach the knockout stage.

Overall, the 25-year-old has scored 10 goals and provided six assists in 36 appearances for club and country this season. He is now one goal away from equaling his best senior scoring campaign and one assist short of equaling his previous personal best. Their influence has increased, and so has outside interest.

Summer still open despite renovation

last summer, Aston Villa made an approach. Fenerbahçe also reached €20m (£17m). Sporting demanded between €25–30m (£21–26m) and refused to sell.

The record now suggests Sporting would be open to negotiations for a figure slightly above €20m (£17m) in the summer. However, with interest from clubs in England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France, his base could easily expand if his form continues. Galatasaray has also been linked before.

Sporting have secured Catamo’s immediate future, but they have not closed the door to a sale. Instead, they have strengthened their negotiating power.

If Aston Villa revisit the situation, they will face a more protected player, stronger numbers and a market that may be more demanding than last year.