Aston Villa close to ‘sensational’ £30m deal for Newcastle United linked winger

Manchester City and Burnley kicked off the new Premier League season at Turf Moor last night as the reigning champions dispatched the Championship winners 3-0.

Newcastle United will get their campaign underway later today with a tough test against Aston Villa at St James’ Park as Eddie Howe looks to build on last season’s stunning success. Meanwhile, the summer transfer window remains open until the end of the month so there is still plenty of time to get deals over the line.

United’s opening day opponents are said to be closing in on a ‘sensational’ deal to sign a winger who has previously been linked with Newcastle. Elsewhere, the Magpies are apparently ‘turning their attention’ to a £50 million valued defender who is thought to be a target for Tottenham Hotspur. Here are the latest Newcastle United transfer news headlines on Saturday, August 12:

Aston Villa ‘close in’ on £30m Newcastle United linked winger

Per a report from The Express, who reference Italian journalist and ‘transfer guru’ Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa are said to be ‘closing in’ on a ‘sensational transfer’ for Nicolo Zaniolo. Unai Emery’s side have apparently put forward a formal bid to sign Galatasaray winger.

The 24-year-old had been tipped to move to Newcastle United ahead of the new Premier League campaign but Villa have now offered to take Zaniolo on loan with an option to buy him on a permanent basis. However, there is apparently no agreement in place between the two sides yet, but the player is keen on the move.

Newcastle United ‘turn attention’ to £50m Tottenahm target

Per a report from Team Talk, Newcastle United have turned their attention to a deal for Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba after he was also linked with Tottenham Hotspur. The Bundesliga side are said to have set an asking price of £50 million for the center back and could apparently increase their demands if multiple clubs make attempts to sign him.

It is claimed that, with Newcastle now in the race, that could become the case. Tapsoba was reported to already be high on Tottenham’s wish list as they aim to sign another defender following the addition of Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg.