Transfer rumours: Burnley lining up Middlesbrough swoop, Ben Gibson suggestion plus Aston Villa striker latest

Burnley are reportedly lining up another swoop for Middlesbrough centre-back Dael Fry after seeing a bid knocked back in the summer.
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Boro rejected an offer of around £8million for Fry back in August, while head coach Jonathan Woodgate has said the club don’t need to sell their best players this month.

Yet according to the Sun, Burnley are now preparing a £10million bid for Fry, who has made 23 Championship appearances for the Teessiders this season.

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Interestingly, the report also claims a swap deal could be possible involving former Boro defender Ben Gibson.

Dael Fry has made 23 Championship appearances for Middlesbrough this season.Dael Fry has made 23 Championship appearances for Middlesbrough this season.
Dael Fry has made 23 Championship appearances for Middlesbrough this season.

Gibson, 27, joined Burnley from Boro in 2018 but has barely featured for Sean Dyche’s side.

An agreement could prove tricky, though, given that Gibson’s wages are greater than Fry’s.

Aston Villa striker latest

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith says the club are “very close” to completing the signing of Genk forward Mbwana Samatta.

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Villa are desperately looking to sign a striker after summer signing Wesley was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Several clubs have reportedly been tracking Samatta, while Middlesbrough were loosely linked with the frontman during the summer.

Speaking after Villa’s 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday, Smith said: "We're getting very close. I think the paperwork is just being ticked off with Samatta,”

"If we can get that done, we'll be really pleased because he's a good player and on top of that, he's a really good character as well."

The move could also be a boost for Boro, following reports that Villa were interested in Britt Assombalonga.