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Tottenham Hotspur appear to be stepping up their search for new attacking recruits following the departure of talisman Harry Kane, with Ange Postecoglou turning his attention towards a current Premier League star…

Who will Tottenham sign before Deadline day?

The Lilywhites are likely to still be reeling after seemingly missing out on the signing of Barcelona sensation, Ansu Fati, with the Spaniard set to seal a shock switch to high-flying Brighton and Hove Albion before the close of the window, despite reports on Wednesday indicating that a loan move to north London was on the cards.

As per the Independent, however, one name that has also been mentioned as a potential target is Crystal Palace playmaker, Eberechi Eze, with the 25-year-old said to be being 'strongly considered' by those at N17.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

The report does add that one possible stumbling block could be the England international's reported £60m price tag, with it yet to be seen if Spurs would be willing to cough up that sizeable fee, despite having raked in £100m following the sale of Kane to Bayern Munich.

How good is Eberechi Eze?

There are likely to have been those of a Tottenham persuasion who were licking their lips at the prospect of bringing young Fati into the fold, with the promising 20-year-old having made his name at Camp Nou after inheriting Lionel Messi's famed number ten shirt back in 2021 – a statement of how highly-regarded the then-teenager was by the La Liga giants.

That being said, it could be argued that Eze is a more proven Premier League option who is likely to take less time to adapt to life in north London, with the playmaking whiz having demonstrated himself to be a truly "mesmerising" talent in recent years – as described by teammate Joel Ward.

Although Fati has caught the eye in Catalonia with 29 goals and ten assists in 112 games in all competitions to date, the youngster's embryonic senior career has been somewhat plagued by injury, while it is also telling that Xavi Hernandez and co are seemingly so willing to move on their sparkling talent.

While Eze is perhaps not a direct alternative to the winger – as the former Queen's Park Rangers ace typically operates in an advanced midfield role – he can offer a real goal threat from his playmaking berth to help supplement the attack.

That was evident last term as the fleet-footed ace scored ten goals and provided four assists from his 38 Premier League appearances, eclipsing the seven goals and four assists that Fati registered from his 36 La Liga outings – albeit with only 12 of those coming from the start.

Equally, it would appear to be the Palace magician who possesses the greater knack for dribbling past opponents and beating his man as he ranks in the top 17% among those in his position in Europe's top five leagues for successful take-ons per 90, while his Barca counterpart ranks in just the bottom 26% in that regard.

As the aforementioned Ward noted, Eze is a player who "just seems to glide over the pitch", with that unique gift making him a figure who would certainly bring a real sense of excitement to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

With Postecoglou likely to have seen first-hand the devastating threat of the Englishman, his potential capture before the end of Deadline Day could make the ex-Celtic boss forget all about his Fati heartbreak.

Manchester United suffered their first Premier League defeat of the 2023/24 campaign over the weekend, losing 2-0 to a revitalised Tottenham Hotspur side

There were several poor performances throughout, with summer arrival Mason Mount failing to generate the spark that Erik ten Hag required during the match, as he completed only 15 accurate passes.

Could this poor performance tempt the Dutchman back into the transfer market and sign another midfielder?

The Red Devils are showing interest in a current Paris Saint-Germain gem.

Will Manchester United sign anyone else?

The Old Trafford side were in the hunt for a new defender, being linked with Marc Guehi and Benjamin Pavard of late, yet with Harry Maguire seeing a move to West Ham United fall through, it appears as though Ten Hag is looking at bolstering other areas of his team.

According to French news outlet L’Equipe (as relayed by Get Football News France), United have shown interest in midfielder Marco Verratti, who appears free to leave PSG this summer.

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…

They will face stiff competition from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich for his signature, though, so his 11-year stay in the French capital seems to be coming to an end.

During the early stages of the window, it looked as though Verratti was moving to Saudi Arabia, yet PSG and Al-Hilal couldn’t agree on a fee, and it looks as though he could be available for €60m (£51m).

How good is Marco Verratti?

The Italian international joined the French side back in 2012 and has since emerged as one of the finest midfielders on the continent. During his 11 years at PSG, he has won a plethora of trophies, including nine Ligue 1 titles while making over 400 appearances for the club.

The 30-year-old was once dubbed “the only genuine talent in Italian football at the minute” by Gianluigi Buffon a few years ago and the midfielder is also statistically similar to current Chelsea starlet Moises Caicedo.

The Ecuadorian just broke the British transfer record by joining the Blues in a £115m move and according to FBref, the former Brighton & Hove Albion machine is the third-most similar player across Europe’s top five leagues to Verratti.

Given his meteoric rise and wonderful performances for Brighton and Hove Albion over the previous 12 months, it isn’t a bad comparison and Ten Hag could land his own Caicedo by signing the PSG star.

Last season, both Verratti and Caicedo registered similar statistics with regard to pass completion percentage (92.6% v 88.5%), tackles won (51 v 58), successful take-on percentage (54.7% v 51.9) and shot-creating actions (83 v 88).

This demonstrates they are both wonderful passers and can also generate plenty of scoring opportunities while not neglecting their defensive duties and this is something United urgently require at the heart of their midfield.

WhoScored also suggests that both Verratti and Caicedo excel at passing and tackling, meaning they are excellent players to have to dictate the play and win the ball back often.

Caicedo will get the chance to prove his worth by starring for Chelsea in the coming years, yet the Italian has been doing it for years at PSG.

Luring him to Manchester may give Ten Hag – and his engine room – the boost that he desperately needs.

Crystal Palace could be set to lose one of their most important players this summer due to a clause in his contract at Selhurst Park, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

Which clubs are keen on signing Michael Olise this window?

According to Football Insider, Crystal Palace could be 'powerless' to stop winger Michael Olise from leaving Selhurst Park this summer due to a £35 million release clause in his current contract at the Eagles, which is set to run until 2026.

Manchester City and Chelsea are both keen on offering the France youth international a fresh challenge in the final weeks of the window and the former are targeting him as a potential replacement for Riyad Mahrez, who has recently completed a move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli.

Last term, Olise showed his creative efficiency for Crystal Palace on a consistent basis, registering two goals and 11 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

In conversation with Sky Sports via The Sun, Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson admitted that the final decision on Olise's future will be left down to the Hammersmith-born playmaker to determine, as he stated in a recent interview: "No one knows at this moment. If there are clubs desperately preparing a bid and tempting him then he'll decide. I can only wait and see what decision he will make; he knows we want to keep him."

Olise is contracted to Crystal Palace until the summer of 2026 and is believed to earn in the region of £85,000 per week on the books at Selhurst Park, as per Capology.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Sky Sports reporter Sheth thinks that Olise's release clause will indeed signify that he will get the final decision on whether to stay at Crystal Palace or leave his current employers this window.

Sheth stated: “It's a little bit up in the air. Crystal Palace are desperate for him to stay, but I think, as it stands, there is some sort of release clause there. If someone can trigger that release clause, then Crystal Palace might not be able to do anything about keeping Olise or not. It will be down to the player himself. So, I think that's where we stand with City just now.”

What now for Crystal Palace?

According to journalist Alan Nixon on Patreon, Crystal Palace are eyeing a move for Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy as Hodgson looks to add depth to his goalkeeping department.

Leicester City stopper Daniel Iversen is another name that has been earmarked to come in and replace Vicente Guiata, who is refusing to play for the Eagles at present, as per The Daily Mail.

Chelsea youngster Lewis Hall has agreed a new contract at Stamford Bridge which could run until the year 2030 and will spend the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Crystal Palace, as per The Evening Standard.

Hall is capable of playing in central midfield and filling in at left-back and Crystal Palace look to have beaten off competition from Newcastle United to bring in the 18-year-old.

Akila Dananjaya, who took 6 for 54, realised early on that the offbreak wouldn’t be helpful against India in Pallekele and switched to bowling legbreaks and googlies instead

Andrew Fidel Fernando25-Aug-20171:59

Agarkar: India had two guys with the right temperament

Not many people on the planet will have had as eventful a past 48 hours as Akila Dananjaya. On Tuesday, having left the Sri Lanka squad, Dananjaya was getting married in Moratuwa – just south of Colombo. No present team-mates could attend, of course, but that is not to say Sri Lankan cricket went unrepresented at the ceremony: none other than Rangana Herath was the witness at the registration of the marriage.Then, just like that, Dananjaya booked it to Kandy with his new bride, and by 9.30pm on Thursday, was deceiving Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, turning in his best-ever performance for Sri Lanka, and very nearly winning the match single-handedly, with an eight-over spell that yielded six wickets for the cost of 39 runs.”The wedding was in the afternoon on Tuesday, and when I got back to the team hotel it was around 11.30 in the night,” Dhananjaya said of his big day. “We wanted to reach earlier than that, but it took a little longer. The wedding finished at about 4pm. Rangana Herath and Ajantha Mendis were there – bowlers whom I had liked from a long time back. I had asked them to sign at the wedding.”And it was almost the spirit of Ajantha Mendis that Dananjaya invoked on Wednesday night – most of his wickets coming through deception. There is no change in the way Dananjaya grips the ball, but at the point of delivery, he can make the ball do at least three things. His stock ball is the offbreak, but when he feels the situation suits it, he can deliver the ball out of the back of his hand, to make it turn away from the right-handed batsman.Akila Dananjaya’s wrong’uns dismantled India’s batting line-up•Associated Press

The most destructive delivery of the evening, however, was his googly, which a series of India batsmen failed to decipher. Kohli, Kedar Jadhav and KL Rahul were all dismissed by that ball in the space of five deliveries. In Dananjaya’s next over, Hardik Pandya also came down the track and played for the legbreak, only for the ball to break back towards him, and slip between bat and pad.”I realised that on this pitch, the offbreak was not helping much,” Dananjaya said. “So I decided to get back to my variations. The target we had to defend wasn’t too big either, so we had to take wickets. I bowled a lot of variations and it went really well. Generally, I am an offspinner, but the wicket-taking balls are the legbreak and googly.”While Dananjaya delivered the spell of his life, Sri Lanka’s remaining bowlers were again largely unable to make breakthroughs. Captain Upul Tharanga chose to reserve two of Dananjaya’s overs for later in the innings – perhaps hoping the likes of Lasith Malinga or Dushmantha Chameera could break the seventh-wicket stand, which would leave tailenders with the prospect of facing Sri Lanka’s best bowler of the day.Save for Milinda Siriwardana, who took the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan earlier in the innings, no other bowler could muster a wicket. When Dananjaya returned to the bowling crease, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and MS Dhoni were nicely set. The target of 231 was achieved with 16 balls to spare.”I thought it would be better to get back later on, if someone breaks the partnership,” Dananjaya said of the decision to take him out of the attack after his eighth over. “Once wickets come along, we also gain confidence. But they batted really well – Bhuvi and Dhoni were superb, and there was nothing much of a change from the pitch.”

Aston Villa could continue their strong feat in the transfer window with a move for Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson.

The Villans have been linked to the playmaker for some time, however, Unai Emery and Monchi could finally secure the talent on the back of three impressive deals.

Youri Tielemans, Pau Torres and Moussa Diaby have already made the switch to Villa Park, with more activity anticipated this summer.

Who wants to buy Brennan Johnson?

As reported by the Daily Mail earlier this month, both Villa and Brentford have an eye on the Welshman, who is valued at around £40m by Forest.

The 22-year-old has been of interest to the Midlands side since May, when FootballTransfers named the Villans as a potential suitor for him in the summer.

The Garibaldi have remained reluctant to sell their star man, however as per the Daily Mail’s report, the club may be forced to accept an offer to ease Financial Fair Play (FFP) concerns.

How good is Brennan Johnson?

Rising through the academy at the City Ground, the Nottingham-born gem has found his feet in recent years, cementing himself as one of the club’s key players.

A loan spell at Lincoln City in the 2020/21 season brought the youngster's talent to light, where he scored ten goals and assisted 12 in 40 League One appearances.

From there, the intricate forward hasn’t looked back, playing a pivotal role in Forest’s promotion to the Premier League in 2022, where he scored 16 goals and registered nine assists, as well as scoring twice in the play-offs, via Transfermarkt.

Johnson has truly worked his way through the ranks, with his form failing to slow down in the top tier, where he netted eight goals for Steve Cooper’s side in his debut term in the Premier League.

While the Welshman's form comes as a thing to be celebrated by Forest, it’s also gathered the type of attention that the club feared, with fellow side’s hoping to pry the 22-year-old away from Nottingham.

For Villa, Johnson could become a valued member of Emery’s squad, adding individual brilliance and providing a fresh outlet for others in the side.

Like the Wales international, Emiliano Buendia shone in the Championship, however, has struggled to transfer his form to the Premier League.

Lauded as “unbelievable” by national team manager Robert Page, the Villa target could prove to be the key to unlocking the Argentine’s past form in the Midlands, through his lively nature in attack.

The 26-year-old secured 17 assists in the Championship before making the switch to Villa Park, highlighting just how efficient he can be as a playmaker.

Clocking the second-fastest top speed in the league last season at 36.70 km/h, via OptaJoe, Johnson could be the desired presence in the side to give Buendia a deadly outlet to target in the final third.

In the 2020/21 Championship campaign, the former Norwich sensation averaged 3.31 key passes and 0.41 through balls per 90, via FBref, highlighting just how deadly he could be if given a pace-ridden spark like Johnson to release.

Emery could add a host of threats to his front line by equipping the Forest star in his side, in a move that could benefit the club on multiple dimensions.

ScorecardPaul Horton scored a half-century as Leicestershire batted on•Getty Images

Derbyshire ended a run of three consecutive defeats in the County Championship as their Division Two match against Leicestershire at Derby ended in a tame draw.Leicestershire batted on in their second innings for 57 overs before declaring on 217 for 3, which included half centuries for openers Paul Horton and Harry Dearden. A target of 304 in 33 overs was never realistic and the inevitable draw was agreed with Derbyshire 42 without loss from 10 overs.There was always a chance the game would end in stalemate on such a lifeless pitch but the day began promisingly for Leicestershire, who took the last two Derbyshire wickets in 11 balls. Clint McKay struck with the third delivery of the day, which moved away just enough to take the edge of Rob Hemmings bat, and Tony Palladino gloved a pull to give Zak Chappell his fourth wicket.A lead of 86 was increased to 183 at lunch by Horton and Dearden, although Horton was given a life on 8 when he was dropped at first slip by Wayne Madsen off Tom Taylor.Horton completed his first fifty of the season before he was caught behind off Taylor and Dearden fell to a stunning piece of fielding by Billy Godleman, who threw the ball up at long-on to avoid taking it over the rope before completing the catch.He took a more straightforward one to dismiss Mark Cosgrove and give Jeevan Mendis his eighth wicket in the game but the Sri Lankan’s match figures of 8 for 283 were the most expensive in Derbyshire’s history.The game almost ground to a halt after Cosgrove’s departure with Colin Ackermann and Ned Eckersley scoring only 43 runs in 13 overs while Derbyshire slowed down the over rate.Leicestershire finally declared three overs after tea leaving Derbyshire to score at more than nine an over to pull off what would have been an astonishing victory and the players shook hands with 23 overs still to bowl.

Leeds United return to action with a pre-season friendly encounter with rivals Manchester United in Oslo later today, with new boss Daniel Farke likely hoping to make a positive start to his preparations for the upcoming Championship campaign.

One potential concern that the German tactician will have going into that meeting with Erik ten Hag's side is the club's lack of transfer business so far, with no new faces having arrived at Elland Road following their drop into the second tier.

While that fact was likely impacted by the uncertainty over the managerial role prior to Farke's appointment – as well as the change of ownership – the hope will be that the Whites can now truly kickstart the window by making some much-needed additions in the near future.

According to The Athletic's Phil Hay, one man who has been a "long-standing" target for the Yorkshire giants is Coventry City sensation, Gustavo Hamer, with the former Netherlands youth international having been part of the side that reached the play-off final last season.

While Leeds are likely to face competition from Premier League side, Burnley for the 26-year-old, the hope will be that Farke and co can persuade the 5 foot 7 ace to aid in their push for promotion in 2023/24..

If a deal for the Brazil-born dynamo could be secured, it could well represent an upgrade on the club's midfield options of last season…

How many goals has Gustavo Hamer scored for Coventry?

The diminutive gem enjoyed a sparkling 2022/23 campaign after contributing nine goals and registering ten assists in 41 Championship games for Mark Robins' side, taking his total tally to 41 goal involvements in 130 games for his current club.

Previously lauded as "unbelievable" by Robins following his arrival in England from PEC Zwolle back in 2020, Hamer has no doubt warranted the admiring glances from those at Elland Road, with a high profile switch seemingly richly deserved.

With the likes of Marc Roca and Tyler Adams potentially set to be on their way this summer – according to Hay – and with Adam Forshaw having seen his contract expire last month, there is evidently a need to bolster the midfield ranks prior to the start of next term.

The Whites will also be looking to replace January loan arrival, Weston McKennie following the American's return to his parent club, Juventus, with that short-term move having failed to prove fruitful for either the player or the club.

The one-time Schalke ace was seemingly "out of his depth" in English football – according to pundit Jon Newsome – while journalist Dean Jones also suggested that the 24-year-old looked "slow" and "lazy" at times, such were his midfield woes.

Bringing Hamer into the fold could then represent a much-needed upgrade on the 6 ft dud, with McKennie's attacking shortcomings seeing him register to just one goal involvement in 20 outings in the second half of last season – a huge contrast to the Coventry's man displays in the Championship.

Equally, the Juve asset also failed to create a single big chance and averaged just 0.7 key passes per game after failing to offer much in the way of a creative spark, while Hamer was far more impressive after creating 16 big chances and averaging 1.8 key passes per game from his 41 league appearances.

In a defensive sense, the latter man also appears to offer more to the side having averaged 3.6 tackles and interceptions per game, with McKennie averaging just 2.7 tackles and interceptions per game, from far fewer appearances.

Those contrasting fortunes would suggest that Hamer would be a real improvement as far as Leeds are concerned next season, with the aim now to try and see off the Clarets in the battle for the £5.2k-per-week man's signature.

Cheteshwar Pujara is no stranger to quick fifties or even quick hundreds, but they are generally his marches from 150 to 200 rather than 0 to 50. Like the time he went from 60 to 100 in 34 balls against New Zealand in Hyderabad in 2012-13. In a Ranji game he has once gone from 150 to 200 in 17 balls. In a triple-century against West Indies A, Pujara scored 71 off the last 55 balls he faced, striking everything cleanly even as he turned down singles when batting with the No. 11 . In the ongoing Test in Hyderabad, though, with India pushing for a declaration, Pujara went at it from ball one, and ended up with an unbeaten 54 off 58 with a hooked six.While the logic behind the innings is clear – he could play so freely because India were not going to bat for long – Pujara sought to clear perceptions around him. Pujara is not part of India’s limited-overs squads, and doesn’t have an IPL contract, but hoped things were going to change soon. He is part of the pool in the IPL auction, which will take place on February 20.”We wanted to accelerate, we just wanted to bat for a session,” Pujara said. “We wanted to get as many as possible that is why I was playing freely. There is a perception that I can’t play many shots. But if you look at the domestic cricket and overall, the way I have played, this was one of the occasions that gave me an opportunity to express myself and I did that.”I am very hopeful that perception will go soon. I have got a T20 hundred in a DY Patil Tournament. Probably I am batting freely, I have added a few shots to my game, which is helping me. Even in Test format, the way I am striking the ball, the way I have been batting in the last few series, I have changed my game, which is helping me in T20 and one-day game. In near future I think things will change.”India fans don’t have cause for worry, though. Pujara will still sell his wicket dearly in Tests. “The approach was quite different as there was a situation where I could play freely,” Pujara said. “I could take some risks and play my shots. Because when it comes to Test cricket, you still have to put a price on your wicket and when you are playing in first innings, you don’t want to play any rash out get out and put the team in trouble. This was an opportunity where we just had to bat for one session, and even if I got out, we had batsmen who could come in and accelerate.”Things went to plan as India scored 158 runs in first session to give Bangladesh four sessions to survive. R Ashwin then gave India clear advantage with two out the three second-innings wicket to fall. Earlier in the day Ashwin had set the record for being the fastest man to 250 Test wickets. Pujara paid tribute to the world’s No. 1 bowler.”Probably he is the toughest spinner when it comes to any opposition team,” Pujara said. “Many teams are always planning on how they are going to face Ashwin. The kind of brain he has, it’s not just about bowling; he thinks as a batsman, he knows what are the weakness of batsman and what are the areas he needs to bowl. I think it’s the experience.”With the ball beginning to turn on day four, Pujara expected India to win the Test even though Bangladesh resisted them in the first innings. “I think the ball has started turning now,” Pujara said. “Probably the wicket is slightly on the slower side but at the same time probably it has opened up and there should be more assistance for spinners tomorrow. We expected the ball to turn from day three but it started turning more from day four onwards rather than day three.”Anyway, the way we performed as a bowling unit, a lot of credit goes to the bowlers. It wasn’t an easy wicket where you can run through the sides. They bowled with a lot of patience. They had to work hard to get them out.”

When Lungi Ngidi was 18 years old and in his first season as a professional cricketer, he was part of a Titans’ T20 team that played in the final of the franchise competition. He only bowled one over in the match but removed the opposition’s most high-profile batsman: Kevin Pietersen, who top-edged a pull.At 19, with a bit more experience under his belt, Ngidi was in the franchise final again. He was considered good enough to bowl a full complement of four overs and, conceding just 27 runs, he got rid of the two best batsmen from the opposition: Colin Ingram and Colin Ackermann.It was with these experiences that Ngidi, now 20, took the new ball for South Africa in Friday’s T20 against Sri Lanka. “I’ve played in a few finals so I have been under pressure quite a few times already and that’s one of the things that gave me an advantage,” he explained afterwards.”Having been under pressure situations before, I knew opening the bowling for your country is not really a joke. It’s quite a serious matter. I tried to focus on the methods that’s worked for me and that’s just to stay in the moment. There’s nothing you can really do other than deliver the balls one at a time and from there see what happens. The first over, I wanted to get my line and length right and I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would have been.” Still, his first over cost nine runs and was taken out of the attack.Sri Lanka needed 40 off 18 balls with seven wickets in hand in a 10-over shootout when Ngidi was brought back, and having seen his team-mates making crucial incisions, he wanted to step up too.”After the first over I saw that there was a bit of bounce and it was skidding through. I tried to beat the batsmen for pace,” Ngidi said. “Coming back in the eighth over, I knew if I hit the deck hard at back of a length, I could try and nick the batsman off or get him caught.”Lungi Ngidi took two wickets in four balls in his first match of international cricket•Associated Press

The plan worked perfectly. Seekkuge Prasanna swung at a back of a length ball, got a top edge that wicketkeeper Mangaliso Mosehle gobbled up and Kusal Mendis pulled a short one to deep square leg, where Heino Kuhn took the catch and then, wary of how close he was to the rope, popped the ball over to Imran Tahir.”I thought Heino had taken the catch and was going to do a victory lap but then I saw him punt the ball up so my heart jumped because I didn’t know which way it was going,” Ngidi said. “But I was very happy. The skill levels are up there.”Ngidi finished with figures of 2-0-12-2. He was the only South African bowler with an economy rate under 11, for which he earned the Man-of-the-Match award on his home ground and more fans than he has ever had before. “I have never heard people scream my name. It really was amazing for me. I have been working hard to get where I am and for the fans to acknowledge and support me like that, it was unreal for me.”I actually got a bit emotional so I just had to take a moment to myself there and focus on the game again. It’s a bit overwhelming because I have never had that many people ask for my autograph or to take pictures. Usually it’s the odd one or two but now there’s even more”Titans’ coach Mark Boucher has identified Ngidi as Kagiso Rabada-like because of his pace – around 140 kph – his clever use of the bouncer and his cool head. South Africa’s selectors seem to have the same idea and for Ngidi, the dream is coming true.

Aston Villa have turned their attention to the transfer window, as Unai Emery bids to improve his side this summer.

The Villans have already confirmed the agreement to sign Youri Tielemans and are looking to add more power to their midfield, should latest reports be believed.

What’s the latest on Cesare Casadei to Aston Villa?

As reported by Italian outlet CalcioMercato, Aston Villa are interested in Chelsea youngster Cesare Casadei.

The 20-year-old, who spent half the season on loan at Reading, is due to return to west London this summer.

The report speculates that it’s ‘likely’ that the Italian ace will be sent out on another loan deal, with a Premier League stay preferred for his parent club to allow him to gain valuable experience.

The report suggests that Villa, along with Brighton & Hove Albion are ‘possibilities’ for the young talent.

What could Cesare Casadei offer to Aston Villa?

Hailed as a “powerful” box-to-box midfielder by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 20-year-old has shone at the U20’s World Cup so far.

In six games played at the tournament, the youngster has maintained an average Sofascore match rating of 7.90 contributing to eight goals in scoring seven himself and assisting one.

Despite playing as a deep midfielder, the £15k-per-week Italian has flexed his attacking abilities on the big stage, making him an exciting prospect for Emery’s plans at Villa Park.

While the Spaniard has a solid set up in the engine room in Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara, he will require an option for rotation especially when considering the added games in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Casadei could be a strong competitor in the talented midfield, and could particularly shine in a partnership alongside Luiz.

In 15 Championship appearances for Reading after signing for the club in January, the midfielder averaged 2.19 tackles, 1.87 blocks and 1.95 aerials won per 90 via FBref, showing that he is robust in his exploits in the defensive areas of midfield.

His numbers are similar to those recorded this season by Villa’s Brazilian machine, who averaged 2.24 tackles and 1.11 blocks per 90 via FBref, acting as the club’s commander in the engine room.

Add the attacking potential of Casadei to the mix, someone who is "like Pogba" – as per Roberto Mancini – and Emery could have a devilish duo in midfield, with two players capable of protecting the back line as well as being offensively able.

Luiz averages a higher rate of progressive passes to the 20-year-old, registering an average of 4.55 per 90 to his 2.76 in the Championship.

However, in the early stages of his career, the Ravenna-born star has flexed exactly what he can do for his country going forward, showing that the potential is there to become an established box-to-box whiz.

While it is uncertain the role that Mauricio Pochettino will want for the young Italian, there is little to doubt the impact he could have on Villa if given a chance to shine in the Premier League.