Aston Villa receive transfer 'boost' as Leicester City eye up Arsenal outcast

We are midway through the 2024 summer transfer window. Plenty of high profile deals have already flown through in the Premier League with more expected before the window shuts on August 30.

Villa have been given a massive boost in regards to one of their top transfer targets. They faced major competition from a club in Serie A - however, the Italian outfit has since been ruled out of the race. As such, the path is now clear for the Villans to make inroads. Meanwhile, Leicester City are preparing to submit an official offer for a player who is currently signed to Arsenal. Can the Foxes push a deal over the line?

Aston Villa receive transfer boost in pursuit of Mario Hermoso

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for former Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso over the course of the summer transfer window - and they have recently received a pair of significant boosts to their chances of bringing him on board in the coming weeks.

As well as Villa, Serie A giants Napoli had also been interested in a move for Hermoso. However, recent reports suggest that any accounts linking Napoli with a move for Hermoso are ‘wide of the mark’. As such, this would take one of Villa’s main rivals to sign Hermoso out of the race for his signature.

In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) page, journalist Fabrizio Romano wrote: “Napoli official statement confirm club position on Mario Hermoso: ‘Links with Hermoso to join as free agent are wide of mark. We’ve already completed defensive signings with Rafa Marín and Buongiorno’. Hermoso, still available as free agent.”

Furthermore, Hermoso has also been seen liking a video of Aston Villa’s 2024/25 kit launch on social media. Villa put up the video on their official Instagram page - Hermoso’s official account on the site gave it a like.

Last season, Hermoso made 31 appearances in La Liga, notching up a single assist along the way. A left-sided centre-back by trade, he can also function effectively as a left-back when needed.

Leicester City ‘open talks’ to sign Reiss Nelson from Arsenal

Leicester City have plenty of work to do before the season kicks off. They need to make sure they can avoid relegation following their promotion back to the Premier League at the end of the previous campaign.

To bolster their chances of staying up, the Foxes are keen to bring Arsenal outcast Reiss Nelson on board. The two parties are thought to be ‘in talks’ though no official offer has been put forth as of yet. Should they make a move, it would likely be in the form of a loan deal.

Fabrizio Romano broke the story with a post on his official X page, in which he wrote: “Leicester City open talks with Arsenal for Reiss Nelson. Loan deal with obligation to buy, in talks over financial terms with Arsenal. Leicester, confident they can persuade Nelson if the clubs come to terms as he previously worked with Steve Cooper.”