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Aston Villa have sent scouts to watch RC Lens defender Kevin Danso, according to 90min.

What’s the latest Aston Villa transfer news involving Danso?

It looks set to be a busy summer at Villa Park ahead of Unai Emery’s first season in charge, with NSWE ready to back the manager with a “huge” spending spree.

There has been speculation this month that Villa are planning an ambitious double swoop for attackers Dusan Vlahovic and Ferran Torres. However, defensive reinforcements also appear to be on the agenda, with rumours now linking the club with a move for Danso in the last 48 hours.

90min reporters Graeme Bailey and Jack Gallagher shared transfer updates on three Lens players on Tuesday evening, one of which was Danso. They stated that Aston Villa sent scouts to watch Lens’ 2-1 win over Marseille on Saturday, with Danso attracting particular interest from Villa officials.

Should Villa sign Danso?

Danso is primarily a centre-back who can also turn out at right-back or left-back and appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €16m Transfermarkt valuation.

The 24-year-old has been labelled as “big” and “powerful” by Adam Leitch and has 13 senior caps for Austria. He even has previous Premier League experience following a loan spell with Southampton, making 10 appearances for the Saints back in 2019/20.

90min say how “Danso has been the main man in a defence which has conceded a Ligue 1 low of just 26 goals in 34 games”, and his recent display should have impressed Villa officials. As per SofaScore, Danso was the best-rated defender from either side, making five clearances, two tackles and blocking two shots. He even contributed going forward by registering a key pass, ending with a 78% pass completion rate.

This season, Danso has outperformed every Villa player when it comes to match rating and has averaged more passes than any Villa player, as per WhoScored, showing that he could be a shrewd signing by Villa due to his impressive form and versatility.

Villa have made their first move by scouting the player, so it’ll be interesting to see if they launch a bid for the defender over the coming months, making this one to watch.

Manchester United's summer target Jeremie Frimpong would be keen to make a move to Old Trafford ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

Will Man United finish in the top four?

The Red Devils got back to winning ways on the weekend to give their hopes of a spot in next season's Champions League a much-needed boost.

Erik ten Hag's side remain three points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand over the north London side.

However, there may be some concerns as to whether Marcus Rashford will be available for the upcoming games after he seemingly suffered a fresh injury issue.

A spot inside the top four remains in their hands and it could be crucial for the Red Devils if they are to attract some of their summer transfer targets to Old Trafford.

One name which has been linked with a potential switch to Manchester is that of Bayer Leverkusen's Frimpong after his representatives held talks with United last week.

And speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the £22k-per-week right-back would be keen on a potential move to Old Trafford in the summer window:

(3:00) "I can confirm that the player is really attracted by a possible return to the Premier League because he started his career in England and now in this case, with Manchester United it's a possibility that is really attracting the player.

"So they've had the player in the list since October/November. They sent, Manchester United, people from their scouting department to follow Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer Leverkusen.

"And so let's see if bids will arrive for Aaron Wan-Bissaka but Frimpong is one to watch and the player would be keen on the move to Manchester United."

Should United sign Frimpong?

The 22-year-old has been a key feature in the Leverkusen side this season having now racked up 27 appearances in the Bundesliga (via Transfermarkt).

And in those games he has been able to provide a seriously impressive return of eight goals and five assists having played predominantly as a right wing-back.

However, there could be an issue for Ten Hag's men ahead of the summer with the believed interest also coming from Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

The two European sides top their respective leagues and are looking certain to be playing in the Champions League ahead of the new season.

On the other hand, United's spot inside the top four is by no means secure with the Red Devils still to play Tottenham later this month.

It will be intriguing to see whether Frimpong's future could potentially be determined on whether United are able to seal a spot in next season's elite European football.

With the draw of playing for Barcelona and even the potential switch across Germany to Bayern in a league where he has so comfortably adapted since moving from Celtic.

United have seen Jadon Sancho come over from the Bundesliga and fail to hit the heights expected of him, however, there could be some confidence taken from the shared interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs.

Newcastle United have joined Manchester United in their interest for Napoli defender Kim Min-jae, reports Fabrizio Romano.

The 26-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Serie A champions this summer, and the Red Devils are currently the front-runners.

Newcastle have also taken an interest, though, and could try to hijack a move for the defender if the opportunity presents itself.

With the Magpies securing Champions League football next season for the first time in two decades, the club have their work cut out for them this summer as they look to bolster the squad and build on last season's Premier League success and adding Kim would be a great start.

What's the latest Newcastle United transfer news?

After a strong transfer window last summer, it seems Newcastle are aiming to repeat the feat this year, with the club already linked to several major names and some figures heading out of St. James' Park as they prefer for European football.

Chris Wood is the first sale of the summer for Eddie Howe's men, as the forward recently completed his permanent transfer to Nottingham Forest after he spent the last year on loan at the midlands club.

Newcastle have also announced that Ciaran Clark and Matty Longstaff will be let go in the summer, but the club have been linked to some exciting incomings.

Former Manchester City academy graduate, Felix Nmecha is reportedly a target for the Magpies, with the Wolfsburg midfielder seen as a viable option to add to the club's midfield.

While their priority is building for the upcoming season, Newcastle have also had an eye on the future, recently signing 18-year-old winger Yankuba Minteh, before immediately loaning him out to Dutch champions Feyenoord, with the plan being to assess his first-team potential once he returns next summer.

As they continue to strengthen the side, stealing Kim's signature out from under United's nose would be a huge statement of intent.

What has Fabrizio Romano said about Kim Min-jae, Manchester United and Newcastle?

While United are currently the favourites to land the South Korean, reports that they've agreed a deal with Napoli aren't true, reports Romano.

Speaking on his Youtube channel, Romano said: "There are many reports of a done deal with Manchester United coming from Italy. Guys, at the moment, nothing is done. This is not a done deal yet."

Romano also went on to reveal that Newcastle, as well as several other clubs, were interested in Kim, saying: "There is also interest from Newcastle, but also other clubs are interested in Kim, so the race is absolutely open, trust me."

With a release clause of £42m being activated early in July, the Magpies will have to act quickly if they're to beat United to a potential deal.

Manchester United are ready to table an offer of €30m (£26m) for Lille midfielder Carlos Baleba, according to reports from France.

What's the latest Man United transfer news?

ESPN have recently given an overview of the midfielders Man United could consider if they are unsuccessful in their pursuit of Chelsea's Mason Mount, with Moises Caicedo, Mohammed Kudus and Taylor Booth all being named as potential options.

West Ham United captain Declan Rice remains a target, despite heavy interest from the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City, and the Red Devils are currently considering whether to test the waters with an official bid.

With both Fred and Scott McTominay potentially on the move this summer, Erik ten Hag may be tasked with bringing in multiple new options in the engine room, and Baleba is now emerging as a target.

According to a report from La Voix des Sports (via Sport Witness), Man United are now ready to put €30m (£26m) on the table to sign the Lille midfielder, who has been attracting the interest of several Premier League clubs.

Ten Hag's side and Newcastle United are named as the "most insistent" clubs, meaning a transfer battle could soon be on the cards, although the report stipulates we might need to wait a few weeks before there is any movement.

Who is Carlos Baleba?

The 19-year-old has only just started to establish himself as a first-team regular for Lille, having now made a total of 21 appearances, however, it is clear to see why Paolo Fonseca has kept the faith with the youngster.

In Lille's final home game of the season, the Cameroonian performed very well in a deep-lying midfield role, receiving a 7.4 SofaScore rating after winning seven ground duels, the joint-highest figure of any player on the pitch.

Not only that, the starlet also has some very impressive attacking qualities, ranking in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers, highlighting his remarkable dribbling ability.

Teammate Remy Cabella has hailed the up-and-coming Lille star as a "monster", while also adding that it is "very, very hard to stop him" due to his "incredible strength" on the ball.

If Baleba continues his current trajectory, he could go on to be a top player, so Man United could be pursuing a star in the making, however, he is still very young, and he may not immediately become a regular starter.

Journalist Pete O'Rourke's "well-placed source" has shared an interesting update West Ham United manager David Moyes' transfer plans, concerning Jesse Lingard.

Who just signed for West Ham?

The Irons, helped by new technical director Tim Steidten, secured the signings of Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Mohammed Kudus over this summer.

West Ham's brand new quartet come in to replace the departed Declan Rice, who joined Arsenal in a deal worth £105 million, and striker Gianluca Scamacca after his return to Italy with Atalanta.

Moyes' side have started the new Premier League season with aplomb; remaining unbeaten over their opening four matches with three wins and a draw.

Striker Michail Antonio, despite two arguably lacklustre seasons prior to this one so far, has lead the West Ham line brilliantly as Jamaica's international ace seemingly replicates his 2020/2021 form.

However, a potential injury to the 33-year-old is a real possibility given their hectic fixture schedule; including a plethora of Europa League matches from now into the festive period.

Antonio's history of fitness issues are a serious cause for concern at West Ham, and bearing this in mind, there have been reports that the east Londoners could take to the free agent market in search of more attacking options.

Moyes ultimately failed in his attempts to bring in a new striker to replace Scamacca on deadline day, despite their last gasp push for Paris-Saint Germain forward Hugo Ekitike.

One option who could provide forward depth is Lingard, who despite not being an out-and-out centre-forward, has proven in past seasons that he can contribute with both goals and assists at West Ham.

The 30-year-old free agent was training at Rush Green in a bid to maintain his fitness level, and reports claim he has actually impressed on-lookers at the club.

Now, journalist O'Rourke has shared an interesting update on Lingard's potential return to West Ham on a Bosman.

The reporter writes for Football Insider that Moyes and co are now facing a battle with two other clubs from Turkey for the ex-Man United ace, so if they're to sign him, West Ham need a formal offer to table fairly soon.

That is from his "well-placed source"' sharing that Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are likely landing spots if West Ham don't make a move.

What happened to Jesse Lingard?

The ex-Nottingham Forest ace hasn't been able to showcase his rip-roaring 20/21 form at West Ham, where he bagged nine goals and five assists in 16 matches.

Lingard has instead endured being on the periphery at both Man United and Forest since then, perhaps explaining why he is still available for hire.

However, we if the player can replicate his brilliant displays whilst on loan at West Ham two years ago, they could be landing a "sensational" free agent.

“He (Lingard) looked like someone going nowhere but he’s been sensational at West Ham," said Nigel Winterburn to The Sun in the summer of 2021.

"I think there’s a conversation to be had at Man Utd as to whether he’d fit back into their plans,” Winterburn told The Sun. “If not, he’s had this success at West Ham, so I don’t know why he’d want to sign elsewhere. He knows the club, so I think West Ham would be favourites to sign him.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta should drop Rob Holding and play Jakub Kiwior against Southampton at the weekend, according to journalist Uche Amako.

What's the latest Arsenal injury news?

The Gunners had to make do without William Saliba against West Ham United on Sunday, with Arteta confirming the defender could be missing for a few weeks after a flare-up of his recent back injury. Saliba has now missed Arsenal's last four Premier League matches, meaning that Holding has been brought into the starting XI, having only received very limited game time as a substitute prior to the Frenchman's absence.

The 27-year-old started alongside Gabriel at the London Stadium on Sunday, but he did not manage to impress Amako, with the journalist calling for him to be replaced by Jakub Kiwior on Friday night, while also indicating he could be one player who is moved on at the end of the season.

Taking to Twitter during the game, The Telegraph reporter said: "Hard to see Rob Holding being part of the next phase at Arsenal with Arteta. His performance at Tottenham cost them last season & he's been a clear weak link again. Kiwior being left footed can't be the reason he's not picked ahead of him. He must start vs Southampton…"

Will Rob Holding be dropped against Southampton?

The Gunners are without a clean sheet in the last four games the Englishman has started, having kept three in four before Saliba's injury blow, and while he cannot be held solely responsible, his performances have been very underwhelming.

Against Liverpool, the Stalybridge-born defender received a Sofascore rating of 6.3, the lowest of any Arsenal player that started the match, after conceding a penalty, losing the majority of his aerial duels, and making one error that led to a shot. The £40k-per-week earner was also too easily bullied by attackers against West Ham, losing every one of the seven duels that he contested, both on the ground and in the air, in a seriously unimpressive display.

Holding was branded "useless" by members of the media earlier this season, and Arteta now has a big decision to make ahead of the Southampton game on Friday night.

Bringing in Kiwior is undoubtedly a risk, given that he has played just 14 minutes worth of Premier League football this season, but the Saints are bottom of the table, which means there won't be a better opportunity to bed him in.

West Ham United are expected to move on from manager David Moyes before the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign.

Will West Ham sack Moyes?

There are now just 12 games remaining in West Ham's Premier League campaign as they find themselves battling at the wrong end of the table.

However, with the international break now nearing its conclusion, the Hammers have stuck with their 59-year-old manager for the time being.

There have been reports throughout the campaign that the Scottish manager's time at the London Stadium was under significant threat amid their poor form.

And speaking on the Talking Transfers podcast, journalist Toby Cudworth has suggested that the Hammers will have moved on from Moyes by the time the next campaign begins:

"[David] Sullivan felt that if there was anybody who was going to get West Ham out of the mess that they're in, it was probably David Moyes, and that's why he's not been sacked to this point.

"However, it is our understanding that at the end of the season, come what may – even if West Ham are relegated or if West Ham stay in the Premier League – David Moyes is not going to be continuing at West Ham."

Should West Ham stick with Moyes?

It now feels as if the potential opportunity to move on from Moyes this season has passed with the international break the perfect time for a club to assess their situation.

That was seen in north London as Tottenham Hotspur made the decision to relieve Antonio Conte of his duties with 10 games left in their season.

However, up to now, the Lilywhites are yet to bring in his permanent replacement with Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason set to take charge until the end of the campaign.

And that carries significant risks with neither coach bearing much experience as a first-team manager throughout their careers.

This was potentially part of the Hammers' thinking over the last week-and-a-half with their situation being a lot more precarious than that of Spurs given their league position.

The results under Moyes have not been great this season with the comparison between this campaign and last season showing a lot to be concerned about.

However, if there was no favourable option out there on the market for West Ham, then sacking Moyes could've posed a huge risk as they look to maintain their Premier League status.

On paper, West Ham would appear to have one of the stronger squads amid the bottom nine sides and certainly one of the most experienced managers.

And with this in mind, sticking with Moyes could see the 59-year-old rely on his experience to pull the Hammers out of danger with a couple of wins potentially taking them up to 12th spot in the table.

There is a lot at stake for West Ham in the final weeks of the season, however, it does feel like a small run of good form could be enough to drag them out of danger.

Liverpool head of recruitment Dave Fallows is being lined up as Julian Ward’s successor as sporting director at Anfield, according to a new report.

The Lowdown: Ward’s shock exit

Ward took over from the much-praised Michael Edwards as sporting director last year, as the Reds lost arguably one of their most influential figures of the Jurgen Klopp era.

The hope was that the 41-year-old would be a key long-term replacement for his predecessor, but instead, Liverpool were rocked by the news that he will also leave his role at the end of the season.

Since that shock announcement late last year, the club have been on the lookout for an eventual replacement and a key update has now emerged regarding the situation.

The Latest: Fallows in pole

According to Football Insider reporter Wayne Veysey, Fallows is the front-runner to take over from Ward and is currently ‘in every meeting’ and is ‘involved in every decision’ at the club.

He is described in the report as a ‘strong candidate’ at worst, and it could be that he is being ‘lined up by the Liverpool hierarchy’.

The Verdict: Good in-house decision?

There may be some who want a new sporting director to come in from fresh surroundings but bringing in Fallows could represent a more seamless transition.

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He knows Liverpool inside out already and has been present to see Edwards and Ward going about their jobs, hopefully learning from the duo in the process.

If the Reds are to get back to the level they were at last season, they need to be getting every decision right both on and off the pitch, so this sporting director appointment is crucial.

Liverpool must be absolutely sure about Ward’s successor, ensuring he works with Klopp to identify the right signings and make tough decisions.

In the race to win the Premier League title once again, Arsenal are on course for yet another action-packed campaign under Mikel Arteta. This time around, as we approach Christmas, the Gunners are above champions Manchester City for a second consecutive season at this stage, having already achieved something they failed to do last time out in defeating the Citizens.

Given how tight things are at the top, the January transfer window could make all the difference. And that could see Arsenal welcome some extra firepower in the form of one particular forward, who has enjoyed an excellent campaign so far.

Arsenal transfer news

Perhaps aware that last season was no fluke under Arteta, Arsenal splashed the cash to improve the Spaniard's side even further during the summer, welcoming Declan Rice, David Raya, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, with the former particularly flourishing at The Emirates. Now, those in North London could look to repeat their transfer trick by adding more goals to their side in the winter window.

According to The Daily Star, Arteta could now push to sign Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke in January if the Gunners fail to land Ivan Toney from Brentford. Those around the Emirates have reportedly been impressed by the former Liverpool man, who has also attracted interest from West Ham United.

Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are also eyeing moves for Toney, so Solanke could be the perfect alternative for Arsenal, as they search for another goalscorer to lead the line. After excelling in the Premier League for Bournemouth so far this season, Solanke could now get his big move when the winter window swings open.

"Complete" Solanke could make surprise difference in title race

When Solanke left Liverpool on a permanent deal in 2019, it was uncertain whether he'd bounce back at Bournemouth. But almost five years later, it's clear that the forward always had plenty of talent. Current Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is certainly a big fan, praising the Chelsea academy graduate by saying:

“I think he’s really complete. He helps us without the ball, on the ball he can go, he’s good technically too. He can play well with his feet, he uses his body well, and if they leave him space at the back he can also exploit it. He had his chances, he scored, he hit the post, I think he was really dangerous and he helped his teammates a lot, so I’m really happy for him.”

Solanke's stats compared to Gabriel Jesus' numbers this season show that he could be the goalscoring forward that Arsenal are crying out for. The Bournemouth star has scored nine goals in all competitions – eight of which have been in the Premier League. Jesus, meanwhile, has scored just three of his seven goals in all competitions in England's top flight this season – proving the extra firepower that Solanke could bring to north London.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Julian Draxler has been a renowned player across Europe for some time now and Crystal Palace could be set to make a move for him, with a new update dropping news on talks between the clubs.

How old is Julian Draxler?

The German has enjoyed an excellent career for club and country, even though injuries have ultimately played a part in him not quite reaching his vast potential. That being said, he has still won 58 caps for Germany, scoring seven goals at international level, not to mention winning the 2014 World Cup.

Now 29 years of age, Draxler has been plying his trade at PSG since arriving from VfL Wolfsburg in 2017, making a total of 198 appearances for the Ligue 1 giants. Last season, he was sent out on loan to Benfica, however, and he was restricted to just ten games in the Primeira Liga.

The midfielder is out of contract at his current club next summer, meaning they could be keen to cash in on him before deadline day arrives next Friday night. If not, it means they will likely lose him on a free transfer in 2024, with an extension not expected to come his way, hence his loan move in 2023/24.

With Palace eyeing up some late business in the current transfer window, a potential move for Draxler looks to be on the cards, following an intriguing update.

Will Crystal Palace sign Julian Draxler?

Taking to Twitter, RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins claimed that Draxler is a summer target for Palace, as they eye up an audacious piece of business:

"Crystal Palace is interested in Julian Draxler. First contacts have taken place between Paris and the English club. The German, who has one year left on his contract, is enthusiastic about the idea of ​​​​going to London."

Granted, Draxler's career has gone the way he would have hoped, in terms of the injury layoffs and not becoming a genuine world-beater, but he could still be a really exciting signing by Palace this summer.

His talent is undeniable, having registered 41 assists and scored 26 goals for PSG, not to mention being called "world-class" by Jens Keller, and he could raise the level of everyone around him at Selhurst Park.

Draxler's contract situation means that Palace could also be able to snap him up for a cut-price amount, with PSG not in a particularly strong bargaining position, so it wouldn't necessarily be a financial risk, even given his injury record.

The fact that the player himself is keen on a move to the Eagles certainly bodes well, as he looks for a fresh challenge away from being a fringe player at PSG, and he could add that sprinkling of magic in attacking midfield, possessing the ability to open up defences and also chip in with goals of his own.

Draxler has scored 66 goals and got 80 assists in his professional career to date – that figure would be higher if he had been available more often – and that level of end product could make Palace a greater attacker force, at a time when goals can come at a premium.