Southampton ‘open to selling’ Aston Villa target, Villans ‘interested’ in Chelsea defender raid

Aston Villa stole a march on many of their Premier League rivals by completing the vast majority of their summer transfer business earlier in the window.

The Villans look to have recruited well, although unforeseen circumstances, including a lengthy injury to new signing Diego Carlos, could yet force them back into the market before it shuts at the end of the month.

With that in mind, here is Saturday’s Villa-related transfer speculation...

Villa make Bednarek approach

Aston Villa have approached Southampton over a possible deal for defender Jan Bednarek, according to The Athletic.

Steven Gerrard’s side are understood to be in the market for a new centre-back following Diego Carlos’ surgery on an Achilles injury, and have reportedly turned their attentions to the Poland international.

For their part, the Saints are said to be open to selling the 26-year-old, who is also attracting interest from across Europe.

Villa keen on Chalobah

Aston Villa are also interested in taking Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah on loan, according to ESPN.

The Blues are understood to be open to the prospect of sending the 23-year-old defender out on loan, but are not willing to let him leave on a permanent transfer.

The centre-back made 20 Premier League appearances last season, but is yet to feature this term.

Alongside Villa, Inter Milan are also credited with an interest in Chalobah.

Sanson set for exit

In another report from The Athletic, it is suggested that Morgan Sanson is set to leave Aston Villa in the near future.

The French midfielder is said to be “pushing for involvement” and has impressed Gerrard by training well of late, but it is understood that the player is eager to gain regular first team minutes, and as such, could be headed for a loan spell away from Villa Park.

Both Besiktas and Galatasaray have shown an interest and the ex-Marseille man is also “open” to a return back to France, with various options explored.

Likewise, The Athletic suggest that Bertrand Traore is also on the brink of leaving Villa.

The forward has fallen out of favour in recent times, and a number of Turkish clubs have also shown an interest in taking him on loan, with a switch to Istanbul Basaksehir in the pipeline.