Feyenoord boss speaks out after Aston Villa 'advanced talks' claim as Wolves identify £12m Kilman replacement

Feyenoord head coach Brian Priske has refused to be drawn on speculation linking defender Lutsharel Geertruida with a move to Aston Villa.

Unai Emery has already enjoyed a productive summer transfer window after spending around over £100m on the likes of Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, Juventus winger Samuel Ilang-Junior and Luton Town star Ross Barkley. With the majority of Emery’s additions coming in midfield and attacking positions, the Villa boss is now said to be keen on securing a defender as he prepares his squad for the new Premier League season and their first venture into the Champions League.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed Villa are in advanced talks with Feyenoord over a deal for 11-times capped Netherlands international Geertruida - although the success of those discussions could well depend on a move that would take Villa defender Diego Carlos to Premier League rivals Fulham. Feyenoord boss Priske was asked about Geertruida’s future after the defender captained his side in their 1-1 home draw with Willem II on the opening day of the Eredivise season - but refused to discuss and incoming or outgoing deals and described working within the transfer market as ‘always a big puzzle’ as the summer transfer window makes its way into its final fortnight.

Speaking after Saturday’s game, Priske said: “When it comes to transfers, after a game I do not like to talk about who is going out, who is coming in. It’s always a big puzzle to make the squad complete in the transfer window that is this long and with a new coach."

Wolves eye £12m Kilman replacement

Wolverhampton Wanderers face a sizeable task as they look to replace club captain Max Kilman following his big money move to Premier League rivals West Ham United.

The former Wolves skipper made a £40m move to the London Stadium last month and left Gary O’Neil to consider several options to replace him at the heart of the Wolves defence. With winger Pedro Neto also on the verge of a move to Chelsea, there is a lot of work to do over the final three weeks of the summer transfer window - and O’Neill has already admitted he would like some Premier League experience in any further additions to his squad.

He told the club website: “We’ve signed a lot of young players and hopefully we can sign a few that can help us in the here and now, as long as some more young ones. As a club, we try to sign ones who are going to add value to the football club, Rodrigo and Pedro especially, they’re ones who have real talent, but also have a (resale) value.

“But we do need to do some who are ready now and have played in the Premier League and know what it’s all about because it is going to be a tough test. We need to make sure we get it right, we need to make sure that I get the team right, and I’m really looking forward to the season, but there is still some work to do between now and the end of August.”

With all eyes on further incomings, GiveMeSport have claimed O’Neil is considering a move for RB Salzburg defender Oumar Solet. Ironically, West Ham were considering partnering the French centre-back with Kilman in a new-look defence - but their interest is said to have receded after they completed a deal to sign Nice star Jean-Clair Todibo. Wolves are said to be ready to step up their interest in Solet and their hopes of landing the 24-year-old may well have been boosted by claims the Austrian club would accept a relatively modest deal of around £12m.