Transfer news and rumours today: Chevalier to Villa, Coppola to Brighton, Kudus future

Aston Villa have reportedly tried to steal a march on Manchester United in the race for Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier by making a £40m bid for the Frenchman.

Unai Emery's current number one Emiliano Martinez is expected to seek pastures new in the summer transfer window, triggering an intense search for his successor.

According to CaughtOffside, Chevalier has been identified by Villa chiefs as a strong candidate to replace the Yashin Trophy winner, and an offer of £40m has now been lodged.

It is not clear whether Lille intend to accept the Lions' proposal, but the French side are not in the strongest negotiating position given that Chevalier only has two years left to run on his contract.

The 23-year-old kept 13 clean sheets in 48 matches for Les Dogues across all competitions during the 2024-25 campaign, including 11 shut-outs in 34 Ligue 1 appearances.

Man United are also said to have earmarked Chevalier as an ideal replacement for Andre Onana, but the Red Devils will not be able to offer Chevalier European football next season.

Villa one of three clubs to 'ask for information' on Serie A defender

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As well as pursuing Chevalier, Villa are said to be one of three teams to have asked for information on Hellas Verona defender Diego Coppola.

The 21-year-old has become a stalwart of the Serie A side's backline since coming through their youth academy, scoring two goals in 34 top-flight appearances in the 2024-25 season.

Like Chevalier, though, Coppola's Hellas Verona contract only runs for another two seasons, and Tuttomercatoweb claims that three Premier League clubs have now registered their interest.

Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford have reportedly all touched base with their Italian counterparts, who were initially prepared to sell Coppola for just €10m (£8.4m) when the summer window opens.

However, Hellas Verona are now likely to command a higher fee for the 21-year-old given his recent rise, which has culminated in him earning his first call-up to the senior Italy squad.

AC Milan and Juventus have also been credited with an interest in Coppola, who stands at 6ft 4in tall.

Mohammed Kudus 'blocks' West Ham United exit to Saudi Pro League

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From possible Premier League incomings to possible Premier League outgoings, the future of West Ham United's Mohammed Kudus remains a hot-button topic.

The Ghana international was solid without hitting spectacular levels in the 2024-25 Premier League season, scoring five goals and providing three assists in 32 matches for the Irons.

Kudus has often been tipped to leave the London Stadium for a Big Six Premier League club, while the Saudi Pro League are also rumoured to have been monitoring his situation.

However, Football Insider claims that Kudus will reject any move to the Middle East in the upcoming window, as the former Ajax man believes that he still has plenty to offer in European football.

Kudus's West Ham deal - which runs until 2028 with the option of a further year - contains a £75m release clause, but the Hammers are supposedly prepared to sell him for less.

Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle United are among the clubs said to have made checks on the 24-year-old, who boasts 19 goals and 13 assists from 80 appearances for West Ham in all tournaments.

Chelsea 22-year-old in 'advanced talks' over loan exit

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Across the capital, Chelsea's 22-year-old goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe is reportedly in advanced talks over a loan move to Bolton Wanderers for the 2025-26 campaign.

The 22-year-old is back at Stamford Bridge after spending the 2024-25 season on loan at Doncaster Rovers, where he excelled with 15 clean sheets in 51 appearances in all competitions to help the club win the League Two title.

However, Sharman-Lowe is not expected to force his way into the Chelsea first team, as the Blues are pursuing another shot-stopper to compete with Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen.

As a result, another loan move is on the cards for the young Englishman, and Football Insider reports that Bolton are edging closer to a temporary deal.

Sharman-Lowe has supposedly been attracting interest from numerous lower-league teams in recent months, but the Trotters are growing confident that they will win the battle for his services.

The goalkeeper joined Chelsea's youth ranks from Burton Albion in 2020 but is yet to make his competitive first-team debut and has only been on the bench on three occasions, most recently against Sheffield United in April 2024.

Written by
Ben Knapton