Wolves 'huge admirers' of former Manchester United flop as key Aston Villa figure lauds Emi Martinez

We aren’t far away from transfer deadline day now. Time is running out for clubs in the Premier League - including Aston Villa and Wolves. What is circulating in the rumour mill today?

Wolves have been linked with a former Manchester United man and could look to snap him up on a loan deal with an option to buy - meanwhile, Aston Villa’s director of football operations has spoken on the new contract handed to star goalkeeper Emi Martinez yesterday.

Wolves linked with move for former Crystal Palace ace Wilfred Zaha

Wolves could make a coup in the transfer window as they look to bolster their attacking options for the new season - they have been linked with a move for Ivorian international and former Premier League star Wilfred Zaha, according to a recent report from The Sun.

Gary O’Neil’s men are understood to be ‘huge admirers’ of the 31 year old and could see him as a viable replacement for Pedro Neto, who left the Molineux Stadium to join Chelsea. If they decide to make a move, it will most likely be in the form of an initial loan with the option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season.

Zaha is currently signed to Galatasaray on a contract until the summer of 2026, though he is expected to leave the club in the coming days. Last season, Zaha made 42 appearances in all competitions for the Turkish giants, scoring ten goals and notching up five assists along the way.

Damian Vidagany speaks on Emi Martinez’s new Aston Villa contract

Recently, Aston Villa fan favourite Emi Martinez has penned a new long term deal with the club. The news has gone down well with supporters - and in a recent interview, director of football operations Damian Vidagany has spoke on the advantages it could bring to the club.

Speaking with Birmingham Live, Vidagany said: “The main challenge we have was to keep the beautiful mentality we have at this club. Beyond the names of which one has to come, the most important thing was to keep what Unai and the guys start to build when I came in November 2022.

“Everyone who comes here is inspired by the mentality of the existing players and for us one of the keys was to keep him. One of the keys was to keep Emi Martinez, when you are able to keep the best player in the world in his position at the club, you are in the right club. Any team in the world would like to have him. We are very happy and proud to have him. Not just him, but Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and John McGinn and all the players.

"Monchi wanted not only good players but young players with fresh blood who had spirit we need to push the starting players to try harder too. The squad is deeper and we have many young players who aim to succeed. It’s unbelievable what we have in front of us."