🔄 Villa Target Gibbs-White, United & Juve Battle for Tonali

Welcome to your comprehensive transfer news briefing! Thank you for subscribing. We've got a packed edition today covering major midfield moves, striker targets across Europe, and some significant contract situations that could reshape the Premier League landscape. Let's break down all the key moves and what they mean.

Unai Emery is looking to strengthen his midfield options with a move for Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest. The creative midfielder has been a standout performer, and Villa's interest signals their ambition to push further up the table and compete in European competitions.

What this means: Gibbs-White's creativity and ability to play between the lines could give Villa an extra dimension in their attacking play. Nottingham Forest will likely demand a premium fee for one of their key players, especially given his importance to Sean Dyche's system. BBC Sport first reported this interest, and it's a move that makes tactical sense for Emery's possession-based approach.

Sandro Tonali has emerged as a top target for both Manchester United and Juventus, setting up a potential bidding war for the Newcastle midfielder. Michael Carrick is keen to add quality to his midfield, while Juventus see Tonali as their primary target to strengthen their Serie A title push.

The situation: Tonali's energy, ball-winning ability, and technical quality make him an ideal modern midfielder. His performances for Newcastle have attracted Europe's biggest clubs, and the competition between United and Juventus could drive the price significantly higher. Newcastle will be in a strong negotiating position if multiple clubs enter the fray, potentially commanding a fee exceeding £60-70 million.

Real Madrid are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of Rodri from Manchester City. The Spanish midfielder has been phenomenal under Pep Guardiola, establishing himself as arguably the best defensive midfielder in world football.

Reality check: Losing Rodri would be a massive blow to City's title ambitions. He's integral to everything they do - controlling tempo, breaking up opposition attacks, and providing defensive stability. While Real Madrid have a history of securing their top targets, City will make this incredibly difficult. Any deal would likely require a world-record fee for a defensive midfielder, potentially exceeding £120 million.

Adam Wharton has caught the attention of both Liverpool (Arne Slot) and Manchester United (Michael Carrick). The Crystal Palace midfielder represents a fantastic long-term investment, combining technical ability with tactical intelligence beyond his years.

Why he matters: At just 22 years old, Wharton has shown maturity and composure in Palace's midfield. His ability to dictate tempo, progress the ball, and read the game makes him an ideal fit for top clubs. Palace will demand a significant fee - expect negotiations to start around £45-50 million. Both Liverpool and United see him as a player who can grow into a world-class midfielder over the next few seasons.

Jean-Philippe Mateta has reportedly agreed a move to AC Milan. The Crystal Palace striker has been in excellent form this season, and this represents a significant step up in his career to one of Europe's historic clubs.

The knock-on effects: This move has created a ripple effect with both Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest showing interest in Mateta. Forest reportedly made a £35 million bid, showcasing their ambition and financial muscle. However, with Milan seemingly winning the race, Oliver Glasner will need to identify a replacement quickly. This could open up opportunities elsewhere in the striker market as clubs adjust their targets.

Juventus are casting their net wide in the striker market, with interest in multiple forwards:

Strategic approach: Juventus are clearly exploring multiple options simultaneously, giving them flexibility in negotiations. Each player offers different qualities - Beto brings physicality, Kolo Muani offers pace and directness, while Zirkzee provides technical ability and link-up play. Expect Juventus to move decisively once they determine which profile best fits their tactical needs.

Manchester City are keeping close tabs on Trent Alexander-Arnold as his contract situation at Liverpool remains uncertain. Despite reports of Real Madrid interest cooling, City's monitoring suggests they see an opportunity to make a move.

The implications: Pep Guardiola adding Alexander-Arnold to his squad would be transformative for City's attacking play from right-back. His crossing ability, set-piece delivery, and progressive passing would fit perfectly into City's possession-based system. However, any move would be incredibly controversial given the Liverpool-City rivalry. The latest reports suggest no Real Madrid exit is imminent, which may keep City's interest alive.

Thomas Frank is looking at Andy Robertson as experienced cover at left-back, with reports suggesting Tottenham could pay just £5 million for the Scottish international.

Value assessment: At £5 million, this would represent shrewd business for Spurs. Robertson's winning mentality, Premier League experience, and leadership qualities could be invaluable, even as a squad player. His physical decline may have reduced his market value, but his experience and professionalism would benefit any dressing room. This is the type of low-risk, high-reward move that can strengthen squad depth without breaking the bank.

Brighton have firmly rejected an approach for captain Lewis Dunk. Fabian Hurzeler is standing firm on keeping his defensive leader, showing the importance of Dunk to Brighton's structure and their determination to hold onto key players despite interest from bigger clubs.

Marcus Rashford apparently wants to make his loan move to Barcelona permanent after enjoying life in Catalonia. This could have significant implications for Manchester United's long-term planning and squad composition.

What happens next: If Rashford pushes for a permanent move, United will need to decide whether to cash in or try to convince him to return. Barcelona's financial situation will play a crucial role - they may struggle to meet United's valuation. This situation bears monitoring as it could influence United's transfer strategy for the remainder of the window and beyond.

Ibrahima Konate's contract situation at Liverpool remains unresolved. The French defender has been excellent when fit, and Liverpool will be keen to tie him down to a new deal. Arne Slot will want this resolved sooner rather than later to avoid any uncertainty affecting the squad.

Priority status: Given his age (25) and quality, securing Konate long-term should be a priority for Liverpool. His partnership with Virgil van Dijk has been formidable, and losing him would create a significant gap in the squad. Expect Liverpool to offer improved terms to reflect his importance to the team.

Chelsea are reportedly open to selling Enzo Fernandez after spending over £100 million on him. This would represent a significant U-turn from the club and a major admission that the transfer hasn't worked as planned.

The context: Liam Rosenior may be looking to reshape his squad and move on big earners who haven't delivered value for money. Fernandez's high wages and transfer fee make him a prime candidate if Chelsea are looking to balance the books and reinvest more strategically. However, recouping anywhere near the original fee will be challenging given his inconsistent form.

Aston Villa are targeting Ruben Loftus-Cheek as Unai Emery looks to add depth to his midfield. The former Chelsea midfielder's Premier League experience and physical presence could be valuable for Villa's European ambitions.

Transfer viability: AC Milan might be open to selling if the price is right, especially if they need funds for other targets. Loftus-Cheek offers versatility, Premier League know-how, and the ability to contribute both defensively and offensively. For Villa, he represents a proven option who can slot straight into the squad without a lengthy adaptation period.

Inter Milan are interested in taking Curtis Jones on loan from Liverpool. The Italian champions are looking for midfield reinforcements, and Jones could benefit from regular playing time in Serie A.

Decision time for Liverpool: Arne Slot will need to weigh up whether a loan move serves Liverpool's interests. Jones has shown promise but struggles for consistent minutes at Anfield. A loan to Inter could accelerate his development, giving him experience in a top European league and Champions League football. However, Liverpool must consider whether they have sufficient midfield depth to let him leave temporarily.

That's your comprehensive transfer briefing for Friday, February 13, 2026. The window is heating up with major moves brewing across multiple positions. Stay tuned for more updates as these stories develop!

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