Aston Villa are ready to steal a march on their rivals in the battle to sign Burnley forward Chris Wood. 

According to Football Insider, Villa are one of three Premier League clubs chasing the New Zealand international. 

Wood, 29, has been an instrumental part of Sean Dyche’s Clarets squad since joining from Leeds in 2017 and netted double figures for the fourth straight campaign in 2020-21. 

Dean Smith is keen to boost his forward options after a promising season for Villa ended with his side limping home in 11th. 

Wood features promimently on his list of targets but Burnley are likely to command a fee in the region of £30million for their star marksman. 

The report also claims Smith is unconvinced by the prospect of bringing Tammy Abraham back to Villa Park on a permanent basis, despite the Chelsea forward netting 25 goals in 37 Championship appearances for the club back in 2018-19. 

Fight for Firpo 

Barcelona left-back Junior Firpo has emerged as a top target for both West Ham and Southampton. 

Spanish outlet Sport suggest the Catalonian giants have been in contact with both Premier League clubs in recent days about the former Spanish Under-21 international, who joined from Real Betis in 2019 for £15.5m. 

Firpo, 24, has made 24 appearances for the Blaugrana in LaLiga across the last two seasons, scoring twice, but is thought to no longer be part of the club’s long-term plans. 

Several Italian sides are said to have expressed interest in a loan move but a bid of around £14m looks set to prove sufficient for those chasing his signature on a permanent basis. 

Capable of playing anywhere across the defence, Firpo’s versatility is thought to appeal to both Hammers boss David Moyes and Saints chief Ralph Hasenhuttl. 

In other news

Manchester United are ready to bring England international right-back Kieran Trippier back to the Premier League, with the Manchester Evening News claiming the 30-year-old would ‘relish playing for his boyhood club’. 

Liverpool have been given renewed hope in their long-running pursuit of Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Florian Neuhaus, 24, after the German international told press in his homeland that he has not agreed to join Bayern Munich.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham have all shown an interest in Lille right-back Zeki Celik, according to The Evening Standard, with the Turkish international valued at £13m.

Italian outlet Calciomercato claim both West Ham and New York City FC are out to hijack AC Milan's move for Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud.

The 34-year-old has rarely featured under Thomas Tuchel and is set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.