Since Unai Emery took charge in October 2022, Aston Villa has undergone a remarkable transformation in the transfer market.

Big names such as Jhon Duran, Moussa Diaby, Pau Torres, Amadou Onana, Marco Asensio, and Marcus Rashford have all joined the Midlands club signings that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.

Thanks to Emery’s influence, Villa is now seen as an attractive destination for top talents. With the summer transfer window approaching, the big question remains: Who will be the next high-profile arrival?

Rashford’s Start at Villa

Despite scoring in his first two league games under Ruben Amorim, it was clear that Marcus Rashford was not part of Manchester United’s long-term plans.

His loan move to Villa provided an opportunity to reignite his form and possibly convince United to reconsider his future or encourage Emery to sign him permanently.

While the 27-year-old is yet to score for Villa, he has provided four assists, including two in an impressive performance against Chelsea.

In that 2-1 victory, Rashford came off the bench in the second half, setting up both goals for Asensio.

He also completed two successful dribbles, created two big chances, made three key passes, and lost possession only five times.

Marco's winner ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/9NEXSQ47BH

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 22, 2025

Should Villa Invest in Rashford?

Rashford has adapted well under Emery, thriving in an attack that includes Asensio, Morgan Rogers, and Ollie Watkins.

However, at 27, the winger is approaching the latter stages of his prime. With an option to buy set at £40m, Villa must decide whether it’s worth investing in a player who may only have a couple of peak years left.

Marcus Rashford on the assist, Marco Asensio gets the goal! 🤝

Aston Villa's goal is ruled onside after a VAR review ✅ pic.twitter.com/lWnd5lngQG

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 22, 2025

It’s no surprise, then, that Villa is considering alternative Premier League attackers to strengthen their squad for next season.

Villa Eyeing Dango Ouattara

According to Caught Offside, Villa is in a transfer battle with Newcastle United for Bournemouth winger Dango Ouattara this summer.

The Burkina Faso international could be available for €40m (£33.5m), with interest also coming from Serie A giants Napoli and AC Milan.

Should Villa secure Champions League football, it could give them an advantage in the race for his signature.

Just reliving this @DangoOuattara penalty as we head into FA Cup mode 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/MMUsooWwWI

— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) March 29, 2025

Comparing Ouattara and Rashford

At just 23 years old, Ouattara has a longer career ahead than Rashford, making him an attractive long-term investment.

Though he initially struggled in the Premier League, his performances in 2024 have been exceptional. This season, he has recorded:

• 7 league goals and 4 assists in 26 appearances
• 2 additional goals in the FA Cup
• 11 goal contributions overall

Football analyst Ben Mattinson has even called him “one of the league’s most underrated players”, especially after his hat-trick against Nottingham Forest in January.

A statistical comparison highlights Ouattara’s impact:

Statistic (2024/25 PL Season)	Dango Ouattara	Marcus Rashford
Goals + Assists	11	7
Shots per 90 mins	2.85	1.75
Shot-Creating Actions	55	46
Goal-Creating Actions per 90	0.36	0.31
Successful Take-ons	45.6%	30.9%
Big Chances Created	9	8

Ouattara has been more effective in attack, creating more opportunities, completing more dribbles, and making a bigger overall impact in the final third.

A Smart Investment for Villa?

Ouattara’s form has turned heads, with former Bournemouth defender Joe Partington describing him as “incredible.”

His rapid rise suggests he’s ready for the next step in his career, and a move to Villa potentially with Champions League football could be the perfect fit.

If Villa wants to continue building for the future, investing in a 23-year-old talent like Ouattara might be a smarter move than committing £40m to Rashford, who is nearing 28.

With Emery’s ambition and Villa’s upward trajectory, securing Ouattara could be a game-changing transfer one that proves to be money well spent.

Lionel Messi is expected to feature for Inter Miami on Saturday after missing Argentina’s international break due to injury.

The superstar picked up a left thigh strain and an adductor issue after scoring in Miami’s 2-1 win over Atlanta United on March 16.

As a result, he was left out of Argentina’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay (1-0 win) and Brazil (4-1 win).

Despite his absence, Argentina secured their place at the 2026 World Cup finals.

Messi’s Injury Update

On Friday, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano provided a positive update on Messi’s condition, confirming that he is “doing well” and is expected to be available for the Philadelphia Union clash on Saturday (7:30 PM ET kick-off).

“He knows his body very well, and the reality is that he has been training progressively more and more, and has joined in to do some training sessions with the group. And today he will do the entire training session,” Mascherano said.

Messi and Inter Miami have enjoyed an impressive start to the season.

The Argentine has registered four goals and five assists in just four starts across all competitions.

In MLS, he has scored one goal, which came against Atlanta, helping Miami to three wins and one draw in their first four games.

Messi has also been prolific in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, scoring home and away against Sporting Kansas City and finding the net against Cavalier.

His contributions have helped Inter Miami reach the quarterfinals, where they will face LAFC in a two-legged tie over the coming weeks.

Inter Miami’s Other Top Performers

Interestingly, three Inter Miami players have been even more productive in attack than Messi this season:

• Luis Suárez – four goals and eight assists
• Tadeo Allende – four goals and seven assists
• Telasco Segovia – three goals and eight assists

With Messi returning to full fitness, Inter Miami will be looking to maintain their strong form as they continue their domestic and continental campaigns.

Incoming sporting director Hugo Viana is looking to make an immediate impact at Manchester City and is reportedly keen on bringing a key reinforcement from his former club, Sporting CP.

Viana Plans First Sporting Raid for Man City

With his first transfer window approaching, Viana has a major challenge ahead in reshaping City’s squad.

While the Etihad club already began their rebuild in January, more changes are expected as Pep Guardiola’s side looks to recover from a disappointing campaign.

Currently sitting as low as fifth in the Premier League, City may still secure a Champions League spot.

However, their struggles this season have raised concerns, as they have never finished outside the top four under Guardiola.

With big changes expected, the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, and Bernardo Silva could be on their way out, making room for fresh additions.

One of those reinforcements could come from Sporting, with Viana targeting a move for a highly-rated defender.

According to The Boot Room, Viana wants to sign Ousmane Diomande, a player admired by Etihad decision-makers.

The centre-back has a release clause of £67m, but he could be available for a discounted price of £50m this summer.

Viana, having strong connections with Sporting, could use his ties to bring Diomande to Manchester City, despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and Chelsea.

If the transfer goes through, it would mark another step in City’s defensive rebuild.

“Complete” Diomande Could Form a Strong Partnership with Khusanov

With injuries troubling Nathan Aké, Rúben Dias, John Stones, and Manuel Akanji this season, City have struggled for consistency at the back.

However, January signing Abdukodir Khusanov has emerged as a promising option, overcoming a tough debut to cement his place in the team.

If Diomande joins, he could form a dominant defensive partnership with Khusanov, securing City’s backline for years to come.

Praised by football talent scout Jacek Kulig last year as having an “incredibly complete” profile, Diomande has continued to shine at Sporting.

23/24: Ousmane Diomande vs António Silva by @DataMB_.

Two fantastic CBs born in 2003.

Incredibly complete profiles for such young defenders.

Which one would you choose for your team? pic.twitter.com/TceznnhFyn

— Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) March 24, 2024

At just 21 years old, the Ivory Coast defender could join Khusanov, Juma Bah, and Vitor Reis to form a new generation of centre-backs at Manchester City.

From an ageing defence, Guardiola could soon have a squad filled with young defensive talents. And if there are concerns about Diomande’s readiness, Khusanov’s recent breakthrough should serve as proof that City’s young stars can step up.