Aston Villa are thought to be plotting a move to sign Brentford forward Ivan Toney, according to Football Insider.

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

Unai Emery has worked wonders with the current Villa squad after taking over back in November and is leading a late push for European football.

However, the club seemingly have one eye on the summer transfer window ahead of the Spaniard’s first full season in charge. The transfer record could be smashed by NSWE, and it seems as if Toney, on £2.93m-a-year with the Bees, is a player of interest in the Midlands.

The England international recently scored in a 1-1 draw with Villa and actually netted his first-ever Premier League goal at Villa Park back in 2021.

Football Insider shared a story in the last 48 hours regarding Villa and Toney, revealing that those in the Midlands are plotting a raid on Brentford for Toney.

The report states that the 27-year-old is on Villa’s radar and could leave Brentford this summer, with a number of Premier League clubs keen on the forward’s services.

Toney and Watkins in attack?

Ollie Watkins has been Emery’s star man in attack in recent months, scoring 11 Premier League goals in 2023. He has netted 15 times in total this season, whereas Toney, described as a "monster" by Bees reporter Billy Grant, has scored 19 goals in the Premier League during the current campaign.

Both England internationals, Toney has seen his Transfermarkt valuation rocket with Brentford from €4.5m to a career-high €50m, showing how he appears to be at the peak of his powers. Emery has also gone with two forwards on a number of occasions this season, so the pair could play alongside each other next season.

As per WhoScored, Toney has outperformed Watkins when it comes to match rating and aerial duels won, while also drawing more fouls. Meanwhile, Watkins is dispossessed fewer times and averages fewer unsuccessful touches than Toney, recording a better pass completion rate as well, so who knows, Emery could see the two as an ideal partnership.

Chelsea could potentially look to sell Raheem Sterling this summer after a tough first season at the club, according to transfer expert Dean Jones.

How has Sterling performed this season?

The 28-year-old departed Manchester City during last summer's transfer window in a £47.5m move, moving on to enjoy a fresh challenge and joining the Blues. He looked like an exciting addition, given the impact he has had for England and City down the years, penning a whopping £325,000-a-week contract.

It's fair to say that Sterling's first season as a Chelsea player has been an extremely disappointing one, however, with the forward struggling to have a positive impact in the final third. The Englishman has scored just four times in 22 Premier League appearances in 2022/23 to date, as well as registering only two assists in the competition.

It has been nowhere near good enough from Sterling, although he certainly hasn't been alone in struggling, with the likes of fellow Englishman Mason Mount also falling out of favour and form. Sterling has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge recently, and now a new claim suggests he could really be on the way out just 12 months after joining.

Is Sterling going to leave Chelsea?

While Mount is the subject of heavy speculation involving rival Premier League clubs, with Liverpool making the Englishman a "priority target" according to Fabrizio Romano, there's a bit less clarity over Sterling's next move. Speaking to Football FanCast, Jones confirms that the winger could move on to pastures new this summer, admitting the player is simply in a bad place with the Blues:

"Fans cheered when he was taken off last weekend. And that says it all really. Sterling is just not in a good place. There's obviously been some speculation around his future… I think that speculation might drag on a bit."

For such reports to be emerging so soon after Sterling joined Chelsea is not something many people would have predicted last summer, considering what a big-name arrival he was. This is someone who scored 131 goals in 339 appearances for City, not to mention netting 20 times in 82 caps for England.

It does look as though the former Liverpool youngster may have potentially peaked as a player, though, with his 29th birthday due this year and many years of football in his legs, having burst into the scene as a teenager at Anfield. Players such as Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen also hit their prime before 30 for the same reason.

The hope is that this is just a blip and that Sterling will go up a gear when the whole Chelsea team improves, but this has now been a prolonged spell of ineffective form. Should he wish to leave, the Blues may not try overly hard to stop him, but the preferable outcome is surely for him to stay put and eventually prove his worth.

حضر اليوم الدكتور أشرف صبحي وزير الشباب والرياضة ومعه أبطال مصر والعالم من الرياضيين في العاب المصارعة ورفع الاثقال والاسكواش والخماسي الحديث والسلاح والكاراتيه والتايكوندو تدريبات المنتخب القومي لكرة القدم والتي يستضيفها استاد مصر بمدينة مصر الأولمبية بالعاصمة الإدارية الجديدة، وذلك من أجل دعم الفريق المصري قبل خوض بطولة كاس الأمم الإفريقية لكرة القدم.

وقال صبحي في كلمته لأبطال مصر: “حرصنا على تواجدنا اليوم مع هذا الكم الكبير من أبطال مصر والعالم لدعم المنتخب المصري قبل خوضه منافسات البطولة”.

واشار أشرف صبحي إلى أن المنتخب المصري يمتلك العديد من العناصر التي تتميز بالمستويات العالية ويلعبون في أكبر الأندية العالمية، مضيفًا أن هذا الجيل من اللاعبين يستطيع مواصلة النجاحات وكتابة اسمه بحروف من ذهب في تاريخ كرة القدم المصرية من خلال تحقيق البطولة الافريقية القادمة وإسعاد الجماهير المصرية التي تنتظر وتأمل تحقيق لقب البطولة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. وزير الرياضة يهنئ منتخب مصر لكرة السلة بعد التتويج بالبطولة العربية

وتابع أن مصر أصبحت تمتلك العديد من المنشآت الرياضية العملاقة والمجهزة التي نفتخر بها جميعًا والتي تم تنفيذها بدعم القيادة السياسية بقيادة فخامة الرئيس عبد الفتاح السيسي ومنها مدينة مصر الدولية للألعاب الأوليمبية بالعاصمة الإدارية الجديدة والتي احتضنت معسكر منتخبنا القومي قبل خوضه لمنافسات البطولة الإفريقية والتي تعد أحد الصروح الرياضية المتميزة التي أنشأتها الدولة المصرية مؤخرًا وتمثل إضافة كبيرة للمنشآت الرياضية المصرية.

وأكمل: “وضعنا خطة كبيرة لتطوير منظومة كرة القدم المصرية، بالتعاون مع الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم ونسير الأن على الطريق الصحيح وهو ما لمسته الجماهير في المباريات التي خاضها المنتخب القومي ونحن نسير بخطى ثابتة وقوية نحو التأهل لكأس العالم ٢٠٢٦”.

وتقدم جمال علام رئيس الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم بالشكر على زيارة ودعم وزير الشباب والرياضة ودعم الدولة المصرية للمنتخب المصري الأول لكرة القدم قبل خوضه معترك كأس الأمم الافريقية القادمة.

وشهدت التدريبات تواجد رئيس مجلس إدارة الشركة المتحدة للرياضة محمد يحيى وحازم إمام وخالد الدرندلي ودينا رفاعي، أعضاء مجلس إدارة اتحاد الكرة، والدكتور محمود حسين رئيس لجنة الشباب والرياضة بمجلس النواب، والنائب أحمد دياب.

ويستعد منتخب مصر لخوض منافسات كأس أمم إفريقيا والتي تستضيفها كوت ديفوار في الفترة من 13 يناير حتى 11 فبراير ٢٠٢٤.

ويتواجد منتخب مصر بالمجموعة الثانية التي تضم موزمبيق وغانا وكاب فيردي ويستهل منتخب الفراعنة مشواره ببطولة الأمم الإفريقية يوم الأحد ١٤ يناير أمام موزمبيق.

ويلتقي منتخب مصر في البروفة الأخيرة قبل السفر إلى كوت ديفوار في مباراة ودية أمام تنزانيا يوم الأحد المقبل.

تحدث آلان جيريس المدير الفني السابق لتونس، عن مباراة منتخب مصر أمام موزمبيق، التي انتهت بالتعادل الإيجابي بهدفين لكل منهما، وذلك ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا.

وتواجه منتخب مصر مع موزمبيق، على استاد “فيليكس هوفويت بوينجي”، في مستهل مواجهات الجولة الأولى لدور مجموعات كأس أمم إفريقيا.

وقال آلان جيريس في تصريحات عبر قناة “المحور”: “هل أداء المنتخب المصري كان مفاجأة؟ قليلًا لأن الشوط الأول كان يدار بواسطة المنتخب المصري وتمت السيطرة، وأول 20 دقيقة من الشوط الثاني مصر استقبلت هدفين وخاضوا معركة لكي يسجلوا التعادل”.

طالع أيضاً.. إسماعيل يوسف عن تعادل مصر مع موزمبيق: البداية صدمتنا.. واللاعبون تلقوا درسًا قاسيًا

وأضاف: “فوجئت بأنني أرى محمد صلاح يلعب داخل الملعب وليس على الأطراف، صلاح يكون لديه خطورة وهو يلعب على الطرف مثلما يشارك مع نادي ليفربول”.

وأتم: “في كل المجموعات المباراة الثانية هي التي ستقرر، مصر ضد منتخب غانا وكوت ديفوار ضد نيجيريا، ستكون مباريات مهمة جدًا وهناك فرق كبيرة وارد تختفى من البطولة في المباراة الثانية، توجد أهمية للمواجهة الثانية أكثر من الأولي”.

Chelsea could be set to offer Levi Colwill a new deal over the summer to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge following his spell out on loan.

Do Chelsea need more defenders?

This season will not be remembered fondly by many in west London with the Blues failing to get their hands on a trophy and finding themselves fighting to finish inside the top four.

And this has come on the back of some serious financial backing from their new owners which has seen a lot of money spent on their defence.

Indeed, over the last two transfer windows the Blues have spent around £220m on defenders alone yet find themselves potentially looking to strengthen with the return of Colwill.

The England U21 international has spent the campaign away on loan with Brighton & Hove Albion where he has made eight starts in the Premier League this season (via Transfermarkt).

Speaking on his Here We Go podcast, Fabrizio Romano has suggested when the £5k-per-week star returns in the summer, he is likely to be offered a new deal at the Bridge:

(12:30) "Just quickly on Levi Colwill, the centre-back who's doing very well at Brighton. Chelsea consider him an important player for next season.

"So Chelsea want Levi Colwill to be part of the squad next season and to offer him a new contract. It's also important to say that the player wants to feel important. He wants to play football so how much game time he will have is going to be crucial for the future of Levi Colwill."

Can Colwill make an impact on the Chelsea side?

Despite the issues experienced in west London this season, their defence has not been one of them with only three other sides having conceded fewer than their 33 goals.

The Blues, as aforementioned, now have a huge number of options in defence with some serious talent in the centre of their defence.

Having previously spent some time out on loan in the Championship, Colwill has been hailed as a star to watch with Lewis O'Brien suggesting he will have a "fantastic career".

And it is apparent he is catching the eye of other Premier League clubs with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur believed to hold an interest in the youngster.

This does beg the question of whether there is a clear pathway for the Englishman into the starting XI at Chelsea given the owners' willingness to splash the cash.

Looking ahead to next season, Colwill could well have Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Kalidou Koulibaly all ahead of him in the pecking order.

Although the youngster will likely back himself to do his best to earn a spot in the manager's thinking, there is some serious talent ahead of him.

Whether that could possibly spell out another loan deal may come into his thinking, but it will be intriguing to see if he feels Staford Bridge is somewhere that he has a long-term future in the starting XI.

Journalist Charles Watts has earmarked Kieran Tierney as an opportunity for Arsenal to make "big money" this summer.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

With the Gunners flying high this season but potentially set to fall just short of winning the Premier League, plenty of focus has been on who they can bring in during the upcoming transfer market to improve the squad.

However, if new faces come in, certain members of Mikel Arteta's team will also be put up on the transfer list too.

One name who has been linked with a move away from north London of late is left-back Tierney. Indeed, as per Football Insider, Manchester City are looking into potentially signing the Scotland international.

While discussing the £110k-p/w defender on his YouTube channel, Watts suggested this move could happen if Arsenal wanted to add some funds to their transfer kitty.

He said: “Kieran Tierney obviously is another player who I think you can make big money out of this summer if you decide to sell.”

How much is Tierney worth?

According to that report in Football Insider, the player is actually open to the move and Arsenal value him at around £30m.

If that is the case, it's certainly a decent chunk that could be reinvested in players elsewhere. What's more, they might be able to replace him internally.

After all, Oleksandr Zinchenko has been the first-choice left-back this term (starting 24 league games), while Takehiro Tomiyasu has also been played at left-back ahead of Tierney at times.

With that being the case, it's easy to see why Arsenal might look to offload the defender in the summer but it remains to be seen if they would want to sell to a direct rival.

The Gunners signed Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus from Man City and this has helped them challenge for the title – a mistake City won't want to make again.

And so, perhaps Arteta would be happier to sell elsewhere. There has actually been talk that La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona could be keen on Tierney (via The Sun), suggesting a transfer bid could be in the region of £50m, which certainly would see Arsenal make some "big money" just as Watts suggests.

All in all, it will be interesting to see if he's really up for sale this summer and who is interested.

Manchester United are now the "front runners" to sign PSG right-back

Achraf Hakimi this summer, according to Football Insider.

Will Manchester United sign a right-back?

The Red Devils looked almost certain to be in the market for a right-back earlier this season, with Sky Sports revealing the club were open to offers for Aaron Wan-Bissaka almost as soon as Erik ten Hag arrived at the club.

The Dutchman clearly preferred Diogo Dalot in that position, and although the former Crystal Palace starlet has forced his way back in during recent weeks, the manager may well stick to his guns and hunt for a more comfortable ball-playing full-back this summer.

Reports in March claimed Old Trafford chiefs could actually attempt so swap Dalot for Netherlands star Denzel Dumfries, and now it seems Hakimi is on the transfer shortlist as well.

According to FI, United have moved ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign Hakimi due to the fact that the Blues will not be able to offer Champions League football. Both teams are "prepared to move for the 24-year-old defender at the end of the season after Paris Saint-Germain made it clear that they are open to offers", but it is the M16 outfit who are currently out in front and willing to meet his £60m price tag.

Would Hakimi be a good signing for Man United?

The Morocco international, currently earning £172k-p/w in Paris, certainly has what it takes to inject a bit more end product than has been provided by Dalot and Wan-Bissaka, racking up nine direct goal involvements in 36 appearances in all competitions this season.

For comparison, Aaron Wan-Bissaka only has 13 goal contributions during his whole career at Old Trafford.

According to FBRef, he ranks highly across Europe's top leagues in terms of important attacking metrics like assists, progressive passes, carries and succesful take-ons, drawing praise as a world-class player from legendary full-back Dani Alves.

The defender has however recently been the subject of a bizarre story involving his personal life, with everyone from UFC superstars to controversial social media personality Andrew Tate praising his actions in an apparent divorce settlement, while other rumours swirl suggesting the entire saga has been fabricated.

Still, assuming that cloud over his personal life is nothing serious enough to affect his actions on the pitch, Hakimi looks like he would be an excellent signing to really kick-start Ten Hag's new era at Manchester United.

Leeds United find themselves in crisis mode following yet another defeat, this time at the hands of Fulham, and their Premier League status looks far from certain.

With six games to go until the end of the season, Javi Gracia's side find themselves 16th in the league, but just one point clear of the drop zone.

Their last three games have seen them lose 5-1, 6-1 and 2-1, and they have won just one of their last five games.

They now have six games left to save their season. Here's how we think they'll get on…

Leeds fixtures

• 25 April: Leicester (h)
• 30 April: Bournemouth (a)
• 6 May: Man City (a)
• 13 May: Newcastle (h)
• 21 May: West Ham (a)
• 28 May: Tottenham (h)

Leeds vs Leicester

Leeds are just one point ahead of the visitors in what will be a huge game in the relegation battle.

Leicester's victory over Wolves may see them begin to return to some form under new interim manager Dean Smith, whilst Gracia's bright start at Leeds has turned sour very quickly.

Given the difficulty of the other fixtures left, Leeds simply have to win this match at Elland Road, and there is no room for error. The precarious position they find themselves in could either see the team ignite a spark to recover some form, or continue to implode.

With nerves from both sides expected on the night, the fans at Elland Road may just be the 12th man that pushes Leeds to secure all three points.

Prediction: Leeds 2-1 Leicester.

Bournemouth vs Leeds

Another six pointer towards the bottom of the table awaits, but some recent good results for Bournemouth has seen them go four points clear of Leeds.

However, a 4-0 home defeat at the hands of West Ham may have knocked their confidence, and Leeds will hope to capitalise. Although it may prove to be a tough game on the road, this is one of the more winnable fixtures Leeds have left, and they cannot afford to lose.

Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 Leeds

Man City vs Leeds

Pep Guardiola's side have looked particularly strong in recent weeks, and as they are still competing for the title with Arsenal at the top of the table, they will have their foot firmly on the pedal.

Boyhood Leeds fan Erling Haaland has torn even the best defences to shreds, and given Leeds' troubles at the back, this could prove to be an ugly result at the Etihad stadium.

Man City have recently heavily beaten the likes of Liverpool and Bayern Munich, and it seems unlikely that Leeds will be able to halt their march towards a potential treble.

Their participation in the Champions League semi-finals may be of some benefit to Leeds if it means City rest some big name stars, but given the strength of their squad, this may be of minimal use as the Whites travel to face the side which beat them 3-1 at Elland Road in December.

Prediction: Man City 4-0 Leeds

Leeds vs Newcastle

With Newcastle flying high and competing for a place in the Champions League, they will still have plenty to play for as they travel to Elland Road, and with Alexander Isak in good goalscoring form, another tough day awaits Leeds.

Newcastle did lose their last away game 3-0 at Aston Villa, but a 6-1 demolition of Spurs in their next game has reminded everyone of what they're capable of.

Leeds did manage to snatch a point at St James' Park with a 0-0 draw in December, but their current defensive issues means a clean sheet looks unlikely.

Prediction: Leeds 0-2 Newcastle

West Ham vs Leeds

West Ham's recent upturn in form has seen them rescue a point against Arsenal before inflicting a heavy defeat on Bournemouth, and are now five points ahead of Leeds.

Their participation in the Europa Conference League could see them rest players for the Leeds game, which may provide hope that Gracia's side can snatch at least a point from the game.

The reverse fixture saw the sides draw 2-2 in an entertaining encounter, and Leeds may be grateful if they come away with a similar result given their form.

Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Leeds

Tottenham vs Leeds

The final day of the season sees Leeds travel to Tottenham, who are in a crisis themselves.

Although Spurs are still in the hunt for European qualification, it remains to be seen whether they will still have anything to play for on the final day, as a 6-1 humiliation at Newcastle has left their ability to finish in the top four in jeopardy.

Given that Leeds could still potentially be fighting for survival, there may be no room to even draw, and they will have to attack.

The chaos of the 4-3 loss at Elland Road earlier this season could be repeated, and Leeds may find themselves in real danger heading into the game.

Prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Leeds

Predicted total points: 35

West Bromwich Albion may well fall short in their quest to return to the Premier League this season but the progression under Carlos Corberan has been impressive, and had the Spaniard been in charge from the start of the campaign, things may well have been different.

The former Leeds United coach took over from Steve Bruce and has led the Baggies on an impressive run of form which took them from relegation candidates to playoff contenders with a top-seven finish still mathematically possible with one game remaining.

One man who has continued his meteoric rise at West Brom under Corberan is Republic of Ireland international Dara O'Shea.

How has Dara O'Shea performed at West Brom?

The Baggies would sign the versatile defender on a free transfer from Irish side St Kevin's Boys back in 2015 and he has quickly risen to the top in his eight years at the Hawthorns.

Loan spells with Hereford and Exeter City gave the young defender the experience required to make it as a regular in West Brom's first team and he would enjoy a breakthrough 2019/20 campaign as the Baggies earned promotion back to the top-flight, featuring 21 times in all competitions and contributing three goals and one assist.

Slaven Bilic was full of praise for his impact for both club and country back in 2021, saying:

“He listens he thinks about his game. He is like a sponge. He listens to you and tries to improve his game, and that’s why his improvement has been really unbelievable.

“If you consider where he was last season at this time and where he is now, it’s like a fairytale. But he deserves it all."

It was no surprise therefore when he was a regular in the Premier League the following campaign, making 28 appearances for the Midlands outfit as they were immediately relegated back to the Championship.

O'Shea now boasts 107 appearances for the Baggies, with seven goals and two assists under his belt, and it seems likely that he will be one of the key players for Corberan again next season, with promotion surely the aim after such a transformative spell under the former Huddersfield boss.

Across 37 appearances in the second tier so far this term, the Irish centre-back has averaged a strong 6.97 rating from WhoScored, which is only bettered by Okay Yokuslu and John Swift (both 7.02) in West Brom's squad, which emphasises just how important he has become at the Hawthorns.

How much is Dara O'Shea worth now?

Unsurprisingly, O'Shea's emergence as a regular for both West Brom and the Republic of Ireland, for whom he has 17 caps, has seen his market value rocket in recent years.

According to Transfermarkt, the Irishman's market value in 2019 was around €150k (£135k), whereas he is now valued at €5m (£4.4m), which represents a mammoth 3233% increase.

Therefore, the Baggies deserve a huge amount of credit for bringing in such a talent on a free transfer and developing him into a top Championship player, who looks to have a bright future at the Hawthorns.

Tottenham Hotspur defeated Crystal Palace in a one-goal affair on Saturday afternoon to return to winning ways and take the sixth-place spot in the Premier League.

The Lilywhites took the lead on the stroke of half-time through talisman Harry Kane's resounding header, ending a run of four games in the top flight without victory.

Three points in north London leave Ryan Mason's outfit on 57 points after 35 outings, although a top-four finish looks to be an unattainable prospect with fourth-placed Manchester United six points ahead with two games in hand.

The emphasis must now be on securing nine points from nine in the culminating phase of the campaign, serving the club with the optimum chance of qualifying for the Europa League next term – a questionable prospect itself with the Seagulls just two points below in seventh – and with three games in hand.

The display against the Eagles claimed a first clean sheet in ten matches, which was largely down to the imperious performance of Argentinian centre-back Cristian Romero, whose all-encompassing work will embolden his teammates ahead of the crucial forthcoming period.

How did Romero perform against Crystal Palace?

Having signed for Spurs from Italian Serie A outfit Atalanta for £50m in 2021, Romero has made 63 appearances, scoring one goal and assist apiece.

The World Cup winner has played 33 times at club level this term and been an ever-present for his side.

The £165k-per-week gem ranks among the top 8% of centre-backs across Europe's big five leagues over the past year for tackles and within the top 16% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, and was able to demonstrate his aptitude at the back and then some against Roy Hodgson's resurgent Palace.

As per Sofascore, the 20-cap star recorded a match-best 8.5 rating, was an insurmountable wall with eight clearances, posted five interceptions and three tackles, and showcased himself as a ball-playing master with 99 touches and a pass completion rate of 88%, while succeeding with four of his five long balls.

It was the robustness and the tenacity that will have been so eye-catching to the Spurs hierarchy, who witnessed the unstoppable force bulldoze into 12 duels, of which he won 10 – a remarkable 83.3% success rate.

Romero also exhibited the offensive prowess of his arsenal by hitting the woodwork, creating one big chance and being hailed as a "Rolls-Royce" by Martin Keown.

With Tottenham needing a leader with iron-clad resolve to galvanise the squad at this late stage of the campaign, Romero proved that he is that man, and with the new campaign on the horizon, his brilliant display will undoubtedly evoke optimism that a return to prominence could be enacted next year.