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It’s that time of the year again – the transfer window is now open until September 1 and it’s sure to be a busy period as clubs look to make big signings ahead of the new season.
Here are today’s latest developments from Simon Jones and the Daily Mail Sport team…
Villa make Leao loan enquiry
Aston Villa have offered a loan fee of £6.9million to sign Rafael Leao from AC Milan for the season.
The Portugal attacker is also wanted by Galatasaray, who are attempting to buy him permanently for an initial £38.6m.
Leao’s transfer is being handled by super agent Jorge Mendes, who played a key role in Unai Emery becoming Villa boss in autumn 2022.
If Leao were to choose Villa, the deal would include an obligation to buy him next summer for nearly £37m if certain conditions were met.
Rafael Leao is being chased by Galatasaray and Aston Villa this summer
Villa agreed a similar deal with Chelsea for Alejandro Garnacho, who was left on the bench for last Sunday’s 4-0 thrashing at Brighton.
Galatasaray are thought to be offering Leao a deal worth more than £300,000 a week, an impossible figure for Villa to match. Instead, Emery hopes the prospect of playing in the Premier League will sway Leao towards Villa.
TOM COLLOMOSSE
Celtic consider Johnstone move
Celtic are understood to be considering a move for experienced Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone as they assess their options following their disastrous exit from the Champions League.
The Scottish champions suffered one of the most damaging European defeats in their recent history on Tuesday night, incredibly surrendering a four-goal aggregate advantage to lose 5-4 to LASK and miss out on the Champions League league phase for a second successive season. Johnstone has emerged as a potential option.
The 33-year-old England international is at Wolves but his future at Molineux is increasingly uncertain following the club’s relegation to the Championship and subsequent changes to their goalkeeping department.
Johnstone underwent shoulder surgery towards the end of last season, which ruled him out of the final matches of the campaign and disrupted his pre-season. However, he has been back training for several weeks, has regained full movement in the shoulder and is effectively back to full fitness.
Despite his return to fitness, there are significant doubts over whether Johnstone features in new Wolves boss Cesar Peixoto’s long-term plans.
Jose Sa returned to the side following his involvement at the World Cup, while Wolves have moved to agree a £1.3million deal for Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Joao Virginia and are in talks to bring back John Ruddy, another indication that the goalkeeping order at Molineux is changing.
Although Dan Bentley has recently departed for Coventry City, Wolves have openly spoken about wanting another goalkeeper and would be willing to allow Johnstone to leave.
The arrival of Virginia leaves Johnstone facing an uncertain battle for football and little evidence of a long-term future at Wolves, potentially opening the door for Celtic.
Johnstone would bring considerable experience to Celtic Park. The former Manchester United academy goalkeeper has made more than 350 senior appearances during spells with West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Wolves, while he has also represented England at senior level.
At 33, he could offer Celtic an experienced and proven presence at a time when the club are looking for greater stability following the extraordinary collapse against LASK.
With the transfer deadline approaching and Johnstone now nearing complete match fitness, it could be a situation that develops quickly.
Celtic need a response after their Champions League humiliation and Johnstone needs regular football. A move to Glasgow could potentially suit both parties.
WEDNESDAY: Chelsea in talks over £36m-rated Atalanta teenager
TUESDAY: Nottingham Forest close in £45m deal for Liam Delap
MONDAY: Aston Villa in touch with AC Milan over Rafael Leao
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