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Leeds United tipped to battle for £30m-rated dazzling winger as Aston Villa eye dream Digne replacement The latest Premier League transfer news as Aston Villa, Leeds United and Manchester City look to land their top targets We’re less than three weeks away from the 2026/27 Premier League season kicking off, and England’s top tier sides are working frantically to get their transfer business done ahead of the window closing on September 1st. Plenty have been busy so far, with Chelsea, Spurs and Newcastle United in particular spending big money to seal new signings. With nine new managers in place, it’s set to be one of the most unpredictable Premier League seasons in years, with the likes of Man City, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest among those into the campaign with a big change in the dugout. It’s Arsenal’s title to lose, after Mikel Arteta’s side ended a 22-year long wait to win the competition last season. Today’s rumour mill update gets going at the Etihad Stadium, where Man City are looking to hit the ground running under new boss Enzo Maresca. With star midfielder Rodri looking likely to join Real Madrid, the club are eager to sign a replacement, and Team Talk report that they’re now getting closer to sealing a blockbuster move for Lille wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi. City are believed to have agreed personal terms with the player, who looks set to sign a five-year deal. However, one factor that could disrupt the deal is additional interest from Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. While the Champions League winners aren’t thought to be prioritising a move for the 18-year-old, they are said to be keen, and Lille could be tempted into selling to their domestic rivals as they’re believed to be willing to immediately loan him back - something which City aren’t up for, which appears to be a factor holding up their efforts to get the deal done. The 3AM Verdict: Viewed by many as a potential generational talent, Bouaddi’s signing would be a real coup for City. He won’t come cheap - most likely he’ll cost over £80m - but they’ll bag themselves a Rodri successor who could dominate the Premier League for years to come. We can’t see Lille’s desire to keep their youngster for another season being enough of an issue to stop City getting the deal done, either. Leeds United face competition to sign £30m-rated gem It’s over to Elland Road next, where Leeds United have signed just two players so far this summer - defender Tarik Muharemovic and free agent midfielder Harry Wilson. They’re now on the hunt for more attacking talent, and French outlet L’Equipe now report that the Whites could be set to battle Aston Villa to sign Marseille's versatile forward Igor Paixao. The story claims that the Whites maintain an interest in a player they tried to sign last summer, while Villa are also said to be in the picture to try and sign the ex-Feyenoord ace, who is believed to have an asking price in the region of £30m. The 26-year-old Brazilian impressed last season, scoring eleven goals and providing six assists in all competitions while being used largely as a left winger. The 3AM Verdict: Paixao would be a decent signing for either side, boasting plenty of experience in European cup competitions. He’s a real flair player renowned for his rapid, skilful dribbling, and would go down a storm at either Elland Road or Villa Park, with both sides needing to strengthen out wide. Whether either club would be willing to pay £30m to sign him remains to be seen. Villa step up chase to sign new left-back Bringing us to a close, we’re off to Villa Park, where Aston Villa are gearing up to play Champions League football again this season. Unai Emery’s side are in need of a left-back, with Lucas Digne set to re-join Paris Saint-Germain, and Spanish outlet Marca claim that the West Midlands side are ready to go all-out to sign Atletico Madrid’s Matteo Ruggeri as his replacement. The ex-Italy U21 international only joined Atleti last summer, but it’s said that he could be tempted with an early exit, after falling behind new signing Alejandro Grimaldo in the pecking order. Villa are now believed to be looking to get the deal done as quickly as possible, amid potential rival interest from Liverpool and Spurs. There is no mention of a potential fee, but the club are said to be willing to sanction the player’s exit. The 3AM Verdict: Ruggeri has the physicality necessary to thrive in the Premier League, and would be a fine replacement for Digne with plenty of years ahead of him at 24 years of age. Given that Atleti only paid around £15m to sign the player last summer, it’s unlikely they’ll demand a huge fee, meaning Villa have a chance to snap up a serious bargain.