Man Utd step up chase for £68m striker as Villa target midfielder

All the latest Premier League transfer rumours, including updates from Aston Villa, Man Utd, and West Ham

Turkish outlet Fanatik claim that Aston Villa have made a proposal to sign Besiktas midfielder Ernest Muci. The Albanian star joined the Super Lig outfit in January, and is under contract in Istanbul until 2027.

Neither of those factors have deterred Villa, however, who are said to have already tabled an offer of around £17.1m for the player. Indeed, Besiktas president Hasan Arat, without naming any specific club, has suggested that a bid has been received.

The 3AM Verdict: Muci hasn’t been in Turkey long, but he is already making a decent impact for Besiktas. By the sound of things, however, the Istanbul outfit have no intention to sell and Villa will either need to dig deep or look elsewhere.

According to a report from Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, Manchester United ‘have already made a move’ to sign Bologna striker Jonathan Zirkzee.

It is understood that the Red Devils have contacted the Serie A side, while AC Milan are also said to be monitoring his situation.

In terms of a price tag, Bologna are expected to demand somewhere in the region of £68.6m for the Dutchman. While United have not reached that valuation yet, it is claimed that if they returned ‘with a big cheque’, the Red Devils would have a ‘good chance of pleasing everyone’.

The 3AM Verdict: Zirkzee is set to be in demand this summer. For their part, United do need attacking reinforcements and, if they can settle on a decent price with Bologna, then the promising Dutchman could be another astute signing in the vein of Rasmus Hojlund.

Calcio-Mercato report that West Ham are eager to complete a deal for AS Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana this summer.

Manchester United and AC Milan are also understood to be keen on the 25-year-old, with a fee of around £25m mooted.

The 3AM Verdict: Fofana is undoubtedly a player of real pedigree and, if West Ham could somehow land him over the likes of Manchester United and AC Milan, it would represent a notable coup. At £25m, he would be affordable enough as well.