Transfer gossip: Villa star eyed to replace Man Utd target; Foden’s £78million deal

News Desk
Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez makes a diving save.

Atletico are so concerned about losing Jan Oblak for nothing that they’ll consider a sale in January. Then they want to sign Villa’s keeper as a replacement…

 

ATLETICO TARGET VILLA STOPPER TO REPLACE OBLAK
Jan Oblak to Manchester United is likely to be the rumour that won’t go away this season…

The Slovenia keeper is out of contract at the end of the season and United are said to be jostling for position at the front of the queue. So concerned are Atletico Madrid at the prospect of losing their No.1 for nowt next summer, the Rojiblancos are prepared to sell the 29-year-old in January just to recoup a few Euros for a keeper that has been rated among the best in the world in recent seasons.

That’s according to the Mirror, which claims Atletico are scanning for possible replacements. Which has led them to Aston Villa’s door.

Apparently the Spaniards are very keen on Emiliano Martinez, though the Argentina international won’t come cheap since he signed a contract extension at Villa Park in January to take him through to 2027.

 


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UNITED, CITY EYE INTER DEFENDER
At least half of the Big Six were looking for centre-backs during the summer. United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea all recruited new defenders, but three of those clubs are still looking at strengthening their back lines.

United and City are both said to be sniffing around Alessandro Bastoni. The Inter defender has a contract at the San Siro until 2024 and Gazzetta dello Sport reckons the Manchester clubs are planning to join Spurs in testing the Italian club’s resolve when he enters the final year of his terms.

Both United and City have also been linked with Pau Torres in the past. Fabrizio Romano says Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal were keen on the the Villarreal centre-back during the summer. That was until they heard an asking price of €40-45million. Which, come January, could be around £50million if sterling continues its descent into the toilet.

 


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SIX MORE YEARS FOR FODEN
In which case, Phil Foden might request that his new salary be paid in euros, dollars, brass buttons or anything else worth more than the pound.

The word according to Football Insider says Foden and Manchester City have reached an agreement in principle over a £78million deal.

The England attacker is set to recommit to City for six years during which time he’ll trouser around £250,000 a week to put him closer to the likes of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne on the City pay scale.