Onana on Villa move
Aston Villa smashed their transfer record to land Everton midfielder Amadou Onana for £50million.
And the 22-year-old Belgian international says the fact the club’s billionaire owners trusted Unai Emery with a £130million spend this summer – is the same reason he can’t wait to play for Villa.
We have a manager that’s one of the best in the business and I think he can take my game to the next level.
The team played very attractive football last season with loads of goals and will now be playing in the Champions League which is very exciting.
It feels amazing to be here. There’s a healthy atmosphere here to grow as a player and as a man. I can’t wait to get started.
Amadou Onana
Gil and Reguilon out
Bryan Gil and Sergio Reguilon have been left out of Tottenham’s tour to the Far East so they can seal moves elsewhere.
The Spanish pair are surplus to requirements under manager Ange Postecoglou so will not be joining their colleagues in Japan and South Korea over the next fortnight.
Winger Gil, 23, turned down a loan move to Brighton in January and has been a long-term target of Feyenoord.
Left-back Reguilon, 27, spent the first half of last season on loan at Manchester United and then was farmed out to Brentford in January.
Fraser Forster has also been left home as he continues to recover from a fractured foot.
While Rodrigo Bentancur, Gio Lo Celso, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven will rejoin the squad closer to the start of the season after representing their countries in the latter stages of the Copa America and Euro 2024.
Guardiola on England job
Pep Guardiola has ruled out the possibility of him taking over England this summer.
I’m really excited for this season. I’m really happy here.
Like every season I needed a break. but i charge my batteries and i have the same energy like usual.
I know the competition is coming. I’m completely focussed on that because of the respect I have for the organisation.
I feel comfortable because of the quality of the human beings I have in the Manchester City squad.
I like them, I love them. They’ve proved for many years how good they are.
Pep Guardiola
More from Guardiola on De Bruyne
Pep Guardiola has confirmed Kevin De Bruyne will spend a 10th season at Manchester City.
The Etihad talisman has been the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia in recent months.
And he admitted in the close season the riches on offer were enough to support his family for generations to come.
But Guardiola told a press conference that the 33-year-old will not be going this summer.
Guardiola closed down a question about the Saudi Arabia interest in the Belgian and said: “No – Kevin isn’t leaving.”
Asked what his advice would be to any player who is thinking of leaving the Prem for Saudi or the MLS he said: “Listen to what their heart is telling them.
“Think of what would make them and their family happy – and their life be good.”
Jonathan David bid over
West Ham have pulled out of the race to sign Lille striker Jonathan David after being asked to pay £10million in agent fees.
SunSport has learned that West Ham were willing to meet Lille’s £30m asking price for the Canadian international, but refused to meet demands for agent fees totalling a third of the player’s transfer value.
David is set to leave Lille this summer after entering the last 12 months of his contract, with West Ham amongst several Premier League clubs interested in his services, along with Chelsea and Newcastle.
The 24-year-old has scored 84 goals in 183 appearances for Lille and also played a starring role in helping Canada to the semi-finals of this summer’s Copa America.
New West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui is targeting a new striker after completing the £40m signing of Max Kilman from old club Wolves last month, but his bosses are refusing to make the deal happen.
West Ham have made a concerted effort to keep spending on agent fees down in recent years and paid £13.8m to intermediaries last season, way behind table topping Chelsea at £75m.
West Ham are now understood to be prioritising a move for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, with the Colombian international available for around £35m.
Trevoh Chalobah axe
Chelsea told Trevoh Chalobah to stay at home and not travel for pre-season.
The Blues are travelling to the USA for their pre-season tour and will face the likes of Wrexham as well as Celtic.
However, Chalobah will not be travelling with the West Londoners this summer.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reported that the centre-back has been told to stay at home.
It is suggested that the club feels “heavy” with defenders as Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo are all going.
Romano added that Josh Acheampong would also be joining the trip as the club want to take a “good look” at him.
