Ex-Aston Villa scout says Unai Emery ace 'could' sign for Arsenal as Wolves rival five PL clubs for defender

Both Wolves and Aston Villa are back in action this weekend as the Premier League returns. The two sides will be eyeing up important wins but both for very different reasons as they sit in opposite ends of the table.

The end of 2024 is fast approaching and soon, the January transfer window will be open for business. As the rumours mount up, we’ve taken a look at some of the latest stories.

Ex-Villa scout says Arsenal ‘could’ sign Emery ace

Arsenal are actively scouring the market for new goalkeeper options and one of the names on their radar is Aston Villa’s Oliwier Zych. Both the Gunners and Brighton and Hove Albion have been linked with the Polish shot-stopper but it is now Mikel Arteta’s side being discussed the most in these transfer talks.

Zych has been tipped to be one of the most in-demand young goalkeepers at the end of the season and with his contract due to expire next summer, clubs can start approaching him in January. Former Aston Villa scout Bryan King believes that this could be an opportunity for the Gunners to swoop in.

“If you’re going to sell a goalkeeper, you’d sell the third choice. Perhaps they have somebody younger than him who has just as much potential,” King told Villa News.

“It wasn’t too long ago that Arsenal used a 16-year-old in the Carabao Cup. Therefore, they need another goalkeeper. If they feel as though this kid can come in and be the number two, he will be the number two because David Raya is their clear first choice. They wouldn’t need to pay big money for him, that is for sure. If Arsenal are really interested, and Villa feel it is right, then that could happen.”

Wolves rival five clubs for defender

Wolves have entered the running to sign Nantes defender Nathan Zézé, putting themselves among a fleet of Premier League clubs interested in his services. According to TBR Football, the centre-back has been attracting significant attention lately and Wolves are among the clubs to have scouted the teenager.

Rivals Aston Villa are also in the picture, as well as Chelsea, Liverpool, Fulham and Nottingham Forest. The 19-year-old is at the forefront of a lot of transfer focus right now after impressing with his performances for Nantes so far this season. Zézé has started six of his side’s Ligue 1 matches so far this season and scouts are also starting to feature him in their research.

Both Wolves and Villa would benefit from signing a talented rising star like Zézé. Wolves are still yet to replace Max Kilman following his summer move, meanwhile Villa could make some recruitment decisions based on Tyrone Mings’ return and how he performs in the coming weeks and months.